High Bridge Council Moves to Audit Golf Course Finances

Borough will seek independent audit proposals for 3-year and 5-year reviews of municipal golf course operations

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:18pm

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The High Bridge, New Jersey Borough Council has decided to pursue an independent audit of the finances and operations of the municipally-owned High Bridge Hills Golf Course. The Council discussed options for the scope and cost of the audit, with a preference for a less expensive independent review initially before potentially escalating to a more comprehensive forensic audit if needed.

Why it matters

The High Bridge Hills Golf Course has been a source of ongoing financial concerns for the borough, with questions about the returns and expenditures related to the municipally-owned facility. An independent audit aims to provide clarity on the course's finances and help the Council determine investment priorities going forward.

The details

At a recent Council meeting, Mayor Michele Lee explained that the borough had received proposals from accounting firms ranging from $5,000 to $86,000 for various audit services. The Council decided to initially pursue an independent audit, which would be less expensive than a full forensic audit, with the option to escalate to a more comprehensive review if the initial findings warrant it. The Council is seeking separate price quotes from firms for 3-year and 5-year audits of the golf course's finances and operations.

  • The High Bridge Borough Council discussed the golf course audit at its meeting on March 12, 2026.
  • The Council plans to receive formal audit proposals and pricing at an upcoming meeting, likely in late March 2026.

The players

Michele Lee

Mayor of High Bridge, New Jersey.

Wendy Rubinstein Quiroga

Attorney for the High Bridge Borough.

Anteres Golf

The management company that operates the High Bridge Hills Golf Course, which is owned by the municipality.

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What they’re saying

“Really, the discussion for Council and for the public is important tonight to see where we want to take this. Council members Lauren Hamlin and Curtis Nowell and I had one phone call with a firm that advised that the Borough needs to really evaluate what information it is looking for here.”

— Michele Lee, Mayor

“If need be, based on the results of the independent audit, you could always elevate it to a more expensive forensic audit. If an independent audit matches what our (High Bridge's contracted auditing firm) says then you know you can stop there. But if that independent audit uncovers discrepancies, then you can move forward to elevate it to a forensic audit.”

— Wendy Rubinstein Quiroga, Attorney

“I want to know what this is going to cost. This is taxpayer money being used.”

— Curtis Nowell, Councilmember

What’s next

The High Bridge Borough Council plans to receive formal audit proposals and pricing at an upcoming meeting, likely in late March 2026. The Council will then decide whether to move forward with an independent audit covering either a 3-year or 5-year period.

The takeaway

The High Bridge Council's decision to pursue an independent audit of the municipal golf course's finances reflects the ongoing concerns about the course's financial performance and the need to carefully manage taxpayer funds. The Council's approach of starting with a less expensive review before potentially escalating to a more comprehensive audit shows a measured and fiscally responsible approach.