Nearly 20 years after buying the land, the city of Sumner is ready to sell off Sumner Meadows Golf Course.

The council on Monday voted 6-1 to sell the course, with only Randy Hynek voting against the measure.

The city purchased the land in 1993 and developed the course with the idea that it would not only pay for itself, but also provide a source of revenue for the city.

However, it has not worked out as planned and once again the city was faced with borrowing money from the general fund in order to cover the debt service on the course, located at the northern end of the city near Pacific.

According to a document on the city website, the city over the past two years has subsidized the course with more than $1.5 million.

For a full report on the history of Sumner Meadows, click here.

This year, according to the agenda bill provided with the resolution, the city would have had to increase property taxes or make a “significant cut in city services” to cover the shortfall.

The city faces repayment of more than $801,000 in Limited-Tax General Obligation bonds for the biennium, and nearly $6 million in total bond debt through 2019. That amount does not include interfund loan debt of $875,000 plus interest, for which the city must draft a repayment plan.

The total necessary bond payments for 2012-2014 total approximately $2.5 million.

A recent mailed survey of Sumner residents showed major support (80 percent of 350 respondents) for selling the course.

The resolution passed Monday authorizes the mayor to begin the process of marketing and sale of the golf course.

The percentage of respondents in favor of selling the golf course has been corrected in this story.

More on this story as it develops.