Legion regains sales tax license after paying off nearly $90k in debt

T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY American Legion Golf Pro/Director of Operations David Boles poses for a photo next to the sign for the lounge and golf course on South 6th Street Tuesday morning. The Legion recently regained its sales tax license and can resume normal operations as of Feb. 1.
It’s been a long four months for American Legion Golf Pro and Director of Operations David Boles and new Post 46 Commander Troy Underhill, but thanks to the generosity of community members, they are excited to announce that their sales tax license has been reinstated and routine operations at the course, pro shop and lounge will resume in the days and weeks to come.
Back in October, Boles, who had returned to the Legion three weeks prior after working there for about six months in 2023, learned that the Iowa Department of Revenue had suspended the license over repeated failure to file sales tax statements, and early in November, he and Post 46 leadership held a public meeting at the headquarters on South 6th Street to provide an update on the situation and lay out plans for the future.
One fact became clear: for the Legion to regain its sales tax license, it would have to pay off almost $90,000 in debt based on the DOR’s revenue projections.
“We used a lot of personal donations, companies (and) local businesses donating anywhere from $50 to five figure numbers,” Boles said. “It was 82 days from the time of our November meeting until it was paid off… After the balance was zero, I went to the DOR website, applied online for a sales tax permit and had a new sales tax permit that afternoon. It took effect Feb. 1, so we’re back in the business of selling golf, everything golf.”
While requesting money under the circumstances may have led some potential donors to question why they were contributing, Boles felt they had strong confidence in himself and Underhill to right the ship and move the business in a more positive direction after previous mismanagement. He said they reached out to businesses and individuals who could afford sizable donations, and many of them came through when they needed them most.
In addition, he sent out postcards to nearly 400 members of Legion Post 46 outlining the struggles they were facing, and over 10 percent of them sent back donations to the tune of over $10,000.
“It’s a needed and expected community organization. It’s had its ups and downs through the years (and) through the decades, but the community certainly got behind us to resolve that,” Boles said.
He’s also enthusiastic about a new food and beverage partnership with Mama DiGrado’s owner Rolly Danner, who is set to take over the 19th Hole Lounge and expects to open sometime before Feb. 15.
“He’s got some kitchen appliances yet to be put in, but his staff and his help have been here stocking the refrigerators and things,” Boles said. “He hasn’t had any beer vendors yet, but he has all of his licenses and permits and everything that he needs, so we’re ready to roll when he is.”
And Boles is working closely with the post’s executive board to implement safeguards and accountability measures ensuring such a situation never unfolds again while working to trim expenses and balance the budget.
“We’re still finding ourselves, from the prior administration, in debt. We still have some debt reduction from 2024 that we need to take care of, so we’re still looking for donations. If somebody wants to contribute, that’s where that would be going so we don’t have to use our 2025 revenue to pay off past bills,” he said. “That’s been kind of the cycle that we’re trying to break.”
The availability of the course for golf largely depends on the weather, but Boles said they’ve already had a few players come out last weekend and expect to be fully open by late February or early March. The Pro Shop is open and operational, and memberships can now be purchased.
“We think that with Rolly being over there and the clientele coming to have beers and pizza and sandwiches and salad bar and Rolly’s goings on over there at the Legion, I think we’re gonna increase our traffic over here,” he said. “They won’t necessarily be golfing, but they’ll wander across the street to see what’s over here (at the Pro Shop). It’ll be good for the business. Exposure is what it’s about… If he wins, we win.”
After a dark chapter in the Legion’s history, Boles is grateful to be turning the page and instilling a sense of accountability in tandem with Underhill going forward, which he said is something they “owe to the public.” He also plans to host another community meeting sometime this spring.
The course, pro shop and lounge are located at 1301 S. 6th St.
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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or
rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.