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Metro council makes emergency move to get final say on management of golf courses

In a strong stance, the council passed an emergency ordinance Thursday night to ensure it has the final say on the management of the golf courses.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville's golf courses are again the center of a clash between mayor Greg Fischer and metro council.

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In a strong stance, the council passed an emergency ordinance Thursday night to ensure it has the final say on the management of the golf courses. Passing 24-0, it was rare move, to show it's serious about keeping the golf courses in the hands of the city. 

The ordinance gives council the final approval over any management of the city-owned greens. 

"I find it quite incredible that we have to spell this out in such painstaking detail," councilman Anthony Piagentini, (R-19,) said. 

Council members also want to keep the courses operates as golf courses.

Last month, metro council passed an ordinance to raise greens fees and allow golf pros to set dynamic pricing. That was in an effort to make the links self-sustaining and raise revenue. 

Last year, the courses lost money, so with the budget on the chopping block this fiscal year, it has been a battle to determine what the future of the courses will be. 

"I feel very strongly that you don't put nine businesses out of business, you don’t lay off 40 workers, if you can do something different, " Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, (D-14,) said.  

Fowler has been the biggest push behind keeping the golf courses city-owned and operated, as closely the same as they are now. 

However, the mayor's team has continued looking for other management options and is currently evaluating requests for proposals, or RFP's. 

Those bidders could change how the courses are managed. One bidder has already proposed turning Cherokee golf course into a park.  

"It is frustrating," Fowler said. "I just wish I understood why."

Fowler says she's been in the dark about what exactly the mayor's team plans to do with the RFP's. She said there's been a lack of direct communication between council and the mayor on how to move forward on the golf courses. 

"I really think we could do so much for the city in a good way if we just worked together, it just makes sense," she said. 

That's what led the council to the unusual route of the emergency ordinance which states the reasoning, "because the contracts for management of the Metro-owned golf courses are under consideration and should be reviewed and approved by the Louisville Metro Government’s legislative body."

Jessica Wethington, the deputy director of communications for the mayor's office released a statement after Thursday night's council meeting. 

"We share in the council’s concerns about the challenges facing our golf courses, due to both current industry trends and the increase in our state pension obligation without a new revenue source," Wethington wrote. "We will continue discussions with council on how best to address these challenges." 

Contracts for the current course golf pros run out on Dec. 31, and it is unclear what will happen in the new year if new contracts aren't agreed on.

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►Contact reporter Tyler Emery at temery@WHAS11.com. Follow her on Twitter (@TylerWHAS11) and Facebook. 

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