Readers respond: Diverted golf revenue should be repaid

Portland City Council is proposing three significant changes to the city’s golf program with potential long-term ramifications. In developing the 2025-26 budget, the City Council has voted to 1) take $825,000 from the golf program’s reserves to subsidize candidates running for city office in the next general election; 2) take another $1 million to pay for non-golf Parks Bureau maintenance; and 3) charge golfers an additional $5 per 18-hole round to backfill cuts in other Parks Bureau programs, (“

Portland City Council diverts police dollars to parks during marathon budget meeting,

” May 22).

These actions not only weaken the golf program but also detract from the city’s mission to keep golf accessible to all.

Portland’s golf program is funded by user fees – not by the general fund – to cover operations. However, there is also a $35 million backlog of maintenance projects necessary to keep the golf system in good working order. Through careful management, the program has established a reserve fund which now has a balance of $6 million to begin funding repairs.

The decision to divert golf fund dollars for non-golf matters penalizes a program that is financially responsible and has been planning for maintenance. Increasing the cost of playing golf chases away customers who provide the revenue needed to operate the system.

We recognize the City Council is in a tough position to balance the budget. However, any actions taken with golf program dollars should be short-term in nature and come with a guarantee that the lost revenue will be replaced.

Kristen Dozono, Portland