Rudolph: Country Club Hotel Will Keep Taxes Down

Board President and Fifth Ward Commissioner Jeff Rudolph read the following prepared statement at the May 8 :

"As you all know, the current economic climate has made things very tough on local municipalities. As commissioners, we are constantly striving to hold line on taxes while at the same time continuing to provide our residence with the essential services that they have come to expect.

"Services such as the golf course, swimming pool and ice rink have provided residence with countless fond memories. Unfortunately, these services and the memories created thereby have come with associated costs. For instance, , the and the .)

"Although we believe the said public services add value to each of our homes, we know that raising taxes cannot be the sole source for funding these public enterprises. We have therefore challenge ourselves to create alternate funding sources. We are excited tonight (May 8) to unveil one such initiative, which we have been exploring for several months.

"As stated, our now contains a pool, an ice rink, a country club/restaurant and a golf course. The golf course contains some acreage, which is presently unused. We have been investigating the possibility of leasing a small portion of the golf course ground for the construction of a 94-room hotel, which would service our residents and the patrons of our country club facilities.

"We believe that the hotel would not only provide much-needed funds through the through the yearly rental of unused golf course land but we also think, based on expert advice, that the hotel when increase the amount of play and therefore the revenue of our golf course. The addition of the hotel would play an essential role in keeping golf play, banquets and wedding sales at levels sufficient to keep the public services available and affordable.

"As a bonus, the hotel, which will be owned by the township, will create up to 120 construction jobs and 60 to 90 permanent jobs in our community.

"We believe this idea to be a win-win-win for the township and its residents. The township will receive recurring lease monies, increased golf revenue and increased mercantile and business privilege taxes through the rental of the currently used piece of ground. The residents will benefit because it will permit the township to continue to provide a public pool, golf course, ice rink and country club without consistently raising taxes (the services will continue to add value to our houses.)

"Finally, the public will enjoy the benefit of increased employment through the addition of permanent and temporary positions. All this will be accomplished without cost to the township, nor it's taxpayers."