Steve Howlett, assistant public works director for the City of Oxnard, told the City Council that staff is seeking an appropriation of up to $280,838 from the golf course operating fund to close fiscal year 2024–25 for River Ridge Golf Club operations. The request reflects final expenses of $6,080,919 against projected revenues of $6,705,636.
The appropriation request matters because the final expense total exceeded the revised midyear projection of $5,800,081 by $280,838, requiring use of golf fund reserves rather than the general fund. Howlett said there is no impact to the general fund.
Staff reported that the City of Oxnard owns River Ridge Golf Club, which operates two 18‑hole courses under a management contract with American Golf Corporation (AGC). AGC’s initial five‑year management agreement began July 1, 2019, and with approved extensions ended June 30, 2025. A new five‑year agreement beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2030, with an option for another five‑year extension, was approved by the City Council on May 6, 2025. The council previously approved a second amendment on Dec. 17, 2024, to extend the older agreement through June 30, 2025 so the contract term aligned with the fiscal year.
Howlett attributed the increased expenses primarily to replacement of the bridge on Hole 18 and an unplanned full replacement of the golf course irrigation control system after a power surge while Southern California Edison was performing repairs in the area. The city submitted a claim to Southern California Edison, which was denied because of the irrigation system’s age, Howlett said. The combined final cost for the bridge and irrigation control system was $849,141, $186,251 higher than the $662,890 estimate approved Dec. 17, 2024.
In addition to those capital costs, staff reported other unanticipated expenses that were not included in the original or the midyear budget adjustment: equipment compliance with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), landfill compliance charges, irrigation pump repairs and an elevator replacement. Howlett said AGC worked to absorb some unplanned capital costs during the fiscal year, and staff waited until fiscal‑year end to finalize expenses, including the end‑of‑year incentive fee, before determining whether an appropriation was necessary.
Revenues for fiscal 2024–25 are projected at $6,705,636, about $205,636 higher than the revised projection of $6,500,000 and $353,550 higher than the original projection of $6,146,450; AGC must still confirm the final revenue total and earned interest, Howlett said. Staff estimated the replacement work reduced rounds played and likely lowered revenues compared with the prior year.
To limit future surprises, the new 2025 management agreement revises Article 10 to give AGC the option to perform capital improvement projects that fall outside the operations budget or the annual plan only with written approval by the City. Howlett said golf course capital improvement projects will be funded from available golf fund balance.
The staff report concluded with the request that the City Council approve and authorize an appropriation not to exceed $280,838 from the golf course operating fund to close out fiscal 2024–25. The transcript of this presentation does not record a council vote or subsequent council action on the appropriation.
