Report: Galt firing range will become self supporting

GALT — The City of Galt will set aside money specifically for the city-owned firing range and create an inter-fund loan repayment schedule so the annual budget can include appropriate maintenance, operating and property lease expense.

A use agreement approved in May 2015 paid for range upgrades, but funds from the general budget have been needed to continue with other improvements.

At that time, it was determined that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation would pay the city $300,000 annually to use the gun range.

Since 1987, the range’s primary user has been the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center, which is located directly across the street from the range. This is the training academy for all state correctional officers.

It is also used by Lodi Police and other law enforcement on an as-needed basis.

Prior, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation paid the city just $70,000 annually. The increased proceeds from the new use agreement allowed the city to expand the range from one 50-yard range to three 100-yard ranges, but updates are still needed, according to officials.

The latest funding decision was made at a city council meeting earlier this month when council members received a firing range report and ultimately adopted a resolution to establish the so-called Firing Range Enterprise Fund to repay previous loan and make the facility a self supporting operation.

The city is also looking at other revenue-generating possibilities.