The St. Mary’s County Commissioners have given county government more time to make profitable the Wicomico Shores Golf Course and its restaurant and banquet facility. The commissioners voted 3-1 to continue the operation under the county’s Recreation and Parks Department for the rest of the golf season. They will review the operation in early November to decide at that time whether to privatize all or part of the operation if it isn’t in the black by that time.
Commissioner Larry Jarboe pressed for the commissioners to begin the privatization process now. He argued they could reverse that process if things turn around. But Recreation and Parks Director Phil Rollins argued the county would bleed staff at the facility if the request for proposals was put out now. Jarboe argued that contractors often hire back the same staff but Rollins said many national golf course companies bring in their own people.
In voting against the motion to continue the county operation, Jarboe said “We have had two consecutive losses from the restaurant and golf course.” He added that he has been opposed all along to the county being in the restaurant and bar business. Commissioner Cindy Jones did not attend the meeting and it is not known when she will return.
During the discussion before the motion, Commissioner Dan Morris pressed Rollins and Wicomico Shores Advisory Board President Robert Richardson as to whether they believed the restaurant and banquet facility and the golf course would be in the black by the end of the year. Richardson said he was certain about the golf course based on its current usage.
Rollins wasn’t quite so sure. “That is a difficult question to answer,” he said, citing varying economic factors such as the price of gasoline. He did say that golf course rounds were up five percent through March. Rollins, however, was emphatic about the imminent profitability of the restaurant and banquet facility. “We are certainly very optimistic,” he said.
Rollins said that the advisory board has recommended a slight increase in fees at the golf course and also has established a committee to market the golf course and banquet facility. Commissioner Todd Morgan said of the task force initiatives, “I am willing to give you a chance to make it work.”
Morgan, in making the motion to continue county operation, also included the review at the end of the season. He said if things haven’t turned around financially, then privatization would be considered.
In an issue that could relate to the definition of profitability, the commissioners agreed to have county administrator’s staff look at the issue of administrative costs charged to the Wicomico Shores operation. Currently 15 percent of Rollins’ salary and varying percentages up to 25 percent of other Recreation and Parks staffers are charged to Wicomico Shores. Rollins said he doesn’t spend nearly 15-percent of his time on Wicomico Shores business.
