Community Corner

Officials to Discuss Rye Golf Club Solutions, Problems

The Rye City Council will discuss a 30-page report on the future of Rye Golf Club on Wednesday night

The Rye Golf Club Strategic Committee appointed by the city council in the midst of the city’s investigation into the club last year has submitted a 30-page report that the council will discuss this week. The Committee was tasked with developing strategic recommendations for the long-term use and operation of Rye Golf Club (RGC).

The Committee concluded that the most significant issues at the club are “possibly the financial viability of the food/beverage operation” under city countrol and “inadequate internal controls.” They suggested the following changes to being immediately:  

1.     Governance – Improve checks/balances by including the RGC Commission in an advisory role for all Club decisions with an impact in excess of $2,500 per year. Final decisions remain with the City Manager.    

2. Transparency – Comptroller to provide monthly financial reporting to RGC Commission. Department Managers to provide weekly operational updates to the appropriate RGC Committees.

3.  Internal Controls – Require written documentation for all purchase commitments, even if below requirement for City of Rye PO..Enforce Segregation of Duties and Signature Authorization Limits.  

 Also in the report, the Committee noted that membership is slightly ahead of 2012 levels and that their efforts to eliminate inflated labor costs will bring the club back to break even or better. A new chef was hired and the tip policy is modified. Internal control recommendations included expanding the RGC Commission advisory role for financial matters.

They also asked for more clearly defined responsibilities of the RGC Standing Committee and for the Office Manager to report to the city comptroller rather than the RGC general manager.  

Read the full 30-page report here. It starts on page 63. The city council plans to discuss the report at the May 22 council meeting at 8 p.m. in City Hall. It is agenda item number eight.  


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