The Budget Committee discussed the city’s Field House and outdoor sports facilities, reporting higher spring league sign-ups and ongoing accounting questions about where rental revenues are recorded.

Committee members heard that Field House leagues and rentals have rebounded to near pre-COVID levels, while revenues from outdoor turf rentals at Snyder Park are held in a separate construction fund for turf replacement. David (city finance director) said the outdoor turf rentals have produced roughly $80,000–$85,000 per year and that the city has “been setting that money aside for the turf projects that are going to go on here in the next few years.” He added that the account for those revenues now exceeds $600,000.

Committee members pressed for clearer accounting and for a regular note in future budget documents showing revenues recorded in the general construction/turf replacement fund. One councilor asked whether fees “essentially 100% cover the replacement of the field,” and staff replied the funds are likely to be close to breakeven for capital replacement but may not cover operating labor costs. A staff member explained the split: outdoor field fee revenue flows to the turf replacement (construction) fund while labor and operating expenses for leagues show in the general fund.

Managers said Field House daytime capacity is constrained by nearby Public Works activity and limited parking, while evening slots are near capacity. Staff also told the committee they plan to propose fee adjustments in June’s fee schedule, describing most rental increases in the 20%–30% range and noting that reservations made in advance would be honored at their original price.

Committee members requested a simple spreadsheet for future budgets showing, for each amenity, how much revenue covers operating costs versus capital replacement and what portion is subsidized by the general fund. The committee also discussed whether the current arrangement—routing outdoor field fees to the construction/turf fund while operating costs remain in the general fund—should be changed for budgeting clarity.

Staff said they will add explanatory notes to future budget pages and consider a clearer split of revenue categories so the council can see whether each asset is breaking even, subsidized, or accumulating capital reserves for replacement.