Lakewood trustees express concerns about funding options for possible new RedTail clubhouse

Plans to move forward with a new clubhouse at village-owned RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood have run into a snag over who is going to pay for it.The proposed option of using alternative revenue bonds, a form of long-term debt where an identified revenue stream is meant to pay back the loans but is ultimately backed by property tax dollars, drew pushback from village trustees and residents who worried that if RedTail didn’t show a profit, they would end up footing the bill.“We’re concerned about an increase in taxes,” said Lakewood resident Cheryl Lockwood, adding that other residents remembered the tax hike when the clubhouse was first built 30 years ago.The Lakewood Village Board is hoping to fast track a decision on the clubhouse, which would include a banquet space and bar, in part because of concerns about the facility’s condition.“That thing is falling apart,” Trustee Brian Augustine said. “With what it looks like now and considering the cost of upkeep, it makes zero sense to continue using that same facility.”The current structure, built in 1991, was meant to last 15 years but has been there for 30.The village of Lakewood hopes replace the current club house at the Redtail…
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