Commission reviews recent park and aquatics fee increases; staff explains methodology and outreach

Commissioners discussed citywide fee increases that were adopted by the City Council May 20, 2025 and took effect July 1, 2025. The increases cover park ramada rentals, tennis and pickleball reservations, league fees, tournaments, field practices, and aquatic fees such as swim lessons and pool parties.

Parks staff explained that many fees had not been raised for six years, and that the finance department assembled a spreadsheet-based worksheet to calculate cost-recovery rates. The worksheet factors in staff time, equipment and supplies and shows how much staff time and overhead are consumed by each service. One staff member gave the example that an evening reservation might require staff outside normal business hours and therefore incurs an additional personnel burden that the fee aims to recover.

Staff said they did not apply the new rates retroactively to leagues whose seasons began under the previous schedule; those leagues were charged the old fees and will be charged the new fees for the next season. Staff also said the city issued a press release announcing that rates would change, and the change was posted in city materials and at some facility counters. Commissioners requested clearer public notice and asked staff to make sure fee signage is visible at affected facilities and in online reservation systems.

Why it matters: Fees affect affordability and usage for community sports, rentals and aquatics. Commissioners noted the need for transparency about fee calculations and for clear public notice when fees change.

Next steps: Staff will ensure that fee postings and online information are updated and will provide additional public-notice materials as needed.