Continuity at an Elizabethton mainstay is the reason for a new initiative created by city leaders.

City Council will soon deliberate on action taken by a committee to look at the longevity of the Elizabethton Golf Course, which includes the possibility of contracting out the management of the facility to a separate firm.

According to a report issued by the golf course study group — formed by City Manager Jerome Kitchens — the course has been subsided by the city in increasing amounts over the years with current numbers pegged at $140,000. The report indicated that “while this level of support is not too high, a continued challenge for the city is to search for ways to reduce the subsidy.”

Talks of a management firm taking over the facility was first batted around after talks with Springfield, Tenn., a city that “has been very pleased with results” from a contract with a company that they recently extended their agreement.

Requests were issued to solicit proposals from management firms with six being received. Of the six, four were selected for on-site presentations and interviews.

Following deliberation during the first of December, committee members ranked the four from top to bottom with Hampton Golf and Mosaic Golf receiving the most support from committee members.

Hampton Golf is a management firm based out of Jacksonville, Fla., while Mosaic Golf is located in Alpharetta, Ga.

Per request of the committee, City Council will look at possibly choosing either company — each with a near $60,000 price tag per year — for a three-year contract with the ability to reassess the agreement following its conclusion.

Advantages of an agreement, according to the report, would be operation of the course to know what can be afforded, a “formalized structure,” a marketing program and development services.

If City Council were to not choose a management firm, the committee would then recommend the city to absorb the course as a department of the city, establishing an enterprise fund for the department, expect to contribute roughly $150,000 per year for operation and to eliminate the current golf course board for a “smaller advisory board.”

Other recommendations from the committee include charging sales tax, reducing direct city council involvement in course operations and consider making a “significant” capital outlay expenditure at the course to address repairs and parking.