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Peachtree City staff say Fayette County recreation pact likely to end; county residents would pay higher rates
Summary
City staff told the council the $150,000 annual fee from Fayette County likely will not be increased and recommended terminating the intergovernmental recreation agreement; the change would shift county residents to out-of-city rates starting Oct. 1 of the next fiscal year unless a new deal is reached.
Peachtree City staff told the council during a work session Oct. 12 that negotiations with Fayette County over a $150,000 annual recreation payment have stalled and that the city is preparing to terminate the existing intergovernmental agreement.
The recommendation from Peachtree City’s recreation consultant, CPL, concluded the $150,000 payment has not kept pace with participation by county residents. “CPL recommended that we go back and negotiate with the county, to try to get a little more out of this fee,” a recreation staff member said. The staff member said county officials are not inclined to raise the fee, and that the county appears likely to vote to terminate the agreement on its side as well.
Why it matters: the payment currently lets Fayette County residents use city recreation facilities at Peachtree City resident rates. Staff said that if the agreement ends, the city will move to a two-tier rate structure — a city resident rate and an out-of-city rate — so county residents who are not Peachtree City residents would pay the out-of-city rate.
Staff described next steps and timing: the agreement contains a 90-day notice clause tied to the renewal cycle, and staff said the termination would take effect with the start of the city’s next fiscal year, Oct. 1. “So, this will be the last year of the agreement. So, it'll take effect October 1 of this year,” the recreation staff member said.
City staff said some user groups subject to separate contracts would not see changes. The Aquatic Club’s fee structure is governed by its own agreement, and staff said the club’s fees would remain unchanged. For casual facility users — for example those who swim at Kedron Pool or use fields — county residents who are not Peachtree City residents would pay the higher out-of-city rate if the council proceeds.
Council members asked about notifying affected users. Staff said the city would use signage at facilities, social media and targeted outreach, and acknowledged some people might not see the notice before visiting.
The discussion also touched on recreation master plan priorities that staff presented earlier in the retreat. Staff said council had prioritized seven projects, including a hockey rink, a pool bubble, additional pickleball and cricket courts, Kelly Drive Park, Drake Field bathrooms and improvements at Battery Way Park. Staff asked councilors to indicate any additional resources needed to begin work on pickleball and cricket projects. Peachtree City staff emphasized the pool bubble and hockey rink would require further council decisions.
No formal vote occurred because the work session lacked a quorum. Staff said they will place formal items on a future agenda when the full council is present.
