The city of Palmer, Alaska, has taken full control of its municipal golf course after the expiration of a long-term contract with a private management firm. Mayor Jim Cooper cited legal issues in the original agreement as a key factor in the transition. The city plans to manage the course temporarily before seeking a new private operator.
The Palmer Municipal Golf Course is now under direct management by the city of Palmer, Alaska, following an executive meeting on Tuesday evening. This change comes after 18 years under the stewardship of Eagle Golf Course Management, Inc., led by George Collum. The management contract expired earlier this year, prompting renegotiation talks that ultimately failed to reach an agreement.
Mayor Jim Cooper explained that discoveries during the renegotiation revealed legal concerns in the initial contracts. “We found out that there were some things that we were doing that were inappropriate or illegal, if you want to call it that, in the contract,” Cooper said. The disputes centered on sales revenue from the course's liquor license, which allegedly went to the contractor instead of the city, and improper payment of full-time employees. Investigations into these matters are currently underway.
On January 12, the city offered $475,000 to renew the contract, but required negotiation of internal terms. Collum objected to added conditions from the city council, describing the language as overly controlling. His primary concern was the city's involvement in setting prices for course sales. “The city actually sets prices, but I recommend, and they usually go along with my recommendations because I’m the person that they pay to do that as a contractor,” Collum said in a previous interview.
Despite praising Collum's performance—“He has done a terrific job managing the golf course”—Cooper emphasized the need for a legally sound contract protecting both parties. The city will oversee operations for one year, with plans to transition back to private management. “The thought process is the city’s only going to run it for this year,” Cooper said. “And we’re hoping that it goes back into, basically ‘private hands’ that they manage it because, you get professionals that can manage it probably far better than our employees.”
Cooper dismissed rumors of using the course land for airport expansion, noting available alternative properties and FAA funding that gives the agency ultimate authority. Job postings for city staff will open soon, with hopes that former employees will rejoin. The course aims to open in mid-April.
