Deadline looms for DeBell consultant

Those interested in turning around the DeBell Golf Course have until Friday to submit their qualifications as the city prepares to bring in an outside consultant for the job.

Consulting firms interested in the job must submit a proposal outlining their history, business focus, previous experience, the cost and scope of the work and at least four professional references.

The City Council in June approved a $2-million bailout package for the course after parks officials reported an operating deficit of roughly $718,000 over the last two years.

At an oversight committee meeting held at the course in July, Mayor Jess Talamantes said half of that money would be spent by the end of this fiscal year in June.

The oversight committee was created by the City Council to take an in-depth look at how to make the course profitable again.

When word spread that the course was losing money, the city was approached by the Florida-based consulting arm of the National Golf Foundation.

The agency submitted a draft plan that included an in-depth look at current operations at an estimated cost of $26,000.

The proposal was the only one the city was considering until last week, when the City Council decided that hearing what other consultants — including those who may also be local — would be worth the additional time involved in vetting new proposals.

Residents have taken city leaders to task for the timing of the bailout, and for not doing something sooner. The council action came amid discussions on how to close an $8-million budget deficit and make cuts to various city departments and services.

The oversight committee meets again Sept. 14, and the City Council could make a decision on a consultant by Sept. 20.