City council approves cart lease for Ocala Golf Club
E-Z-GO to supply 83 carts under a 48-month agreement, saving $207,000.
Eddie Carey, left, putts on the 18th hole as Ed McKinley, center, and Steve Wagner, right, watch at the Ocala Golf Club on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Nov. 9, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
On Jan. 20, the Ocala City Council approved a proposal from E-Z-GO to manufacture 82 RXV gas golf carts and one Refresher Oasis beverage cart for the Ocala Golf Club, authorizing the total expenditure not to exceed $566,238.
The acquisition is structured as a 48-month fair market value lease, with monthly payments totaling $7,484.12, $7,093 for the golf carts and $391.12 for the beverage cart, for a total lease cost of $359,237.76. Delivery is scheduled for April 2026, with the first payment due in May.
According to Greg Davis, public information officer for the city, there are no maintenance issues that prompted this proposal.
“The current lease-purchase agreement expires in April 2026. Our lease-purchase agreements are typically a 48-month term,” Davis said.
The lease will terminate two existing PNC Bank schedules in early 2026, with E-Z-GO covering the remaining balloon payments.
“In the new lease, the balloon payment is $207,000, which will be the savings. The annual lease amount is $89,809.44 and is included in the golf course FY26 annual budget,” Davis said.
Indigo Sports Management, LLC, which operates the city-owned golf course, provided a fiscal year 2026 lease analysis comparing E-Z-GO, Club Car and Yamaha. Davis said the analysis considered several factors.
“In addition to price, Indigo Sports factored warranty, service, reputation and product into their evaluation. It was determined that each category reflects long-term performance, manufacturer support and reliability within the municipal and golf course operations,” he said.
Revel Golf Carts has committed to purchasing the existing fleet of 82 golf carts and one beverage cart for $207,000 at the end of the lease, contingent on inspection and verification of condition.
“The carts are regularly maintained throughout the 48-month lease term to ensure they are in above-average condition at the end of the lease,” Davis said.
The new golf carts include fuel-efficient engines, extended warranty coverage and a range of custom accessories.
“Every four years, the carts are replaced. Newer models are more efficient, require less maintenance and in turn provide a better user experience,” Davis said.
The Ocala Golf Club, a public 18-hole course at 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., operates under a management agreement with Indigo Sports Management, originally executed in 2012 and extended through Sept. 30, 2027.
“As part of their contractual obligations, Indigo Sports must procure services and equipment necessary to operate the golf course using their national discount contracts; however, the contracts derived from these purchases are in the city’s name and require approval by the city. Contracting out course management and having the ability to use their national discount contracts is a cost savings supporting the city’s strategic goals of fiscally sustainable and operational excellence,” Davis said.
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