SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) - It seems Sioux Falls City Council may want to chuck the proposed golf course deal with Landscapes Unlimited and stick with the current manager, at least for a year.
Council was ready to vote on it Tuesday evening, but Councilor Greg Neitzart threw out a caution flag.
"If I may, It sounds like our attorney is telling us that that's legally dubious.", so the Council instead voted - unanimously - to defer action until next Tuesday's meeting.
Dakota Golf Management has run the city's three courses for some 23 years and has all the equipment. The company and the city have been unable to reach agreement on purchasing the equipment for the next management company to use.
City Finance Director Tracy Turbak told Council that ongoing revenues from the courses will help offset the cost of new equipment, wherever it is purchased or leased.
"The city funds necessary for that initial equipment and inventory stocking is about $460,000, far from the millions of dollars that some have been claiming."
The council meeting was packed with citizens wanting to give public input on the management deal and the process, many of them golfers.
So, Council next week may vote to put Landscapes Unlimited on the shelf and keep Dakota Management for another year, but Dakota Golf Owner Tom Jansa has told KELO Radio's Greg Belfrage Show that he wants three years, not one year.
Stay tuned.
