Recreation commission votes to recommend $40 annual nonresident fee for adult activity center

The Alpharetta Recreation Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that Mayor and City Council adopt a $40 annual nonresident fee for the city’s Adult Activity Center, a move staff said would begin in early 2026 and include membership cards for tracking use. Staff member Morgan said the commission first discussed a nonresident fee at a prior workshop and placed the recommendation on the commission’s agenda for tonight’s vote. "If you’re not an Alpharetta resident, you’ll pay $40 for the privilege for a year to do the activities and enjoy the Adult Activity Center. If you’re a resident of Alpharetta, nothing changes," Morgan said. The commission’s motion to forward the recommendation was made by Miss Shorant and seconded by Commissioner Norton; the body recorded a unanimous 6-0 vote to carry the motion. Morgan said staff expects the program to begin in February 2026 if the mayor and council approve the recommendation. Staff said the city will issue a single membership card for each participant that will be swiped at program and facility entry points so usage can be tracked across activities. Morgan told commissioners the city plans routine evaluations of program impact: "Christine has it marked 6 months and 12 months to give a report back to the commission," Morgan said, describing the plan to compare usage before and after the fee’s start. Commissioners asked how the policy would handle short-term visitors or one-time users. Morgan said the $40 fee would apply to nonresidents who use Adult Activity Center programs and that staff will return a written policy on one-off guest handling after staff member Christine Young returns from travel. On affordability, Morgan described an existing scholarship framework that can cover program fees for people who meet federal eligibility standards such as free or reduced-price school lunch or other income documentation. "There is the opportunity for scholarships for people who cannot afford it," Morgan said. The commission approved a $5 replacement-card fee for lost membership cards and instructed staff to return with operational details on guest passes and one-off use. The recommendation forwarded to the mayor and council would be advisory until the council votes to adopt the fee.