Report reveals San Jose pays over $2 million to maintain public golf courses

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A new audit has revealed the city of San Jose is paying over $2 million annually to keep three public golf courses open.

The San Jose Municipal Golf Course breaks even and sometimes makes a profit, but the other two public golf courses cost the city tax payers money, which may be fine is you're a golfer.

San Jose City Councilmember Johnny Khamis is asking whether that's a good use of public funds and suggested selling some of the land to pay off the debt.

"The city council was like 'oh wow, we're going to get in the golf course business and make lots of money' and that's not what happened," Khamis said.

Khamis said prior council members financed three golf courses with bonds, but a recent auditors report showed little return if any on the investment.

"I know profit is the main goal, but I think a lot of the tax payers money is worth keeping the golf course open just like keeping a basketball court open for other sports," San Jose resident My Le said.

Los Lagos Golf Course and Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course suffered a combined $600,000 in operating losses during 2014 and 2015.

Another $2.2 million from the general fund went towards payments on the debt for the land.

The council will take up the issue on November 24 with options like selling part of the land to pay off the debt. "I think that would work. I mean we could compromise, we can keep partial for the kids to still be here," Le said.

Many golfers rely on public courses because it's cheaper. "I see also other people that just can't afford to spend money to pay for memberships," San Jose resident Katlyn Vo said.

But Khamis said he has to make sure $2.2 million is being spent in the right place. "For example we can get 13 police officers paid for annually, we can actually start a brand new soccer field annually," he said.

Subsidizing a sport is a debate Khamis is ready to tee-off.