Franklin parks board approves higher Active Adult Center fees as new $5 million building opens

The Franklin City Parks Board voted to raise annual Active Adult Center membership fees to $25 for Franklin residents and $50 for nonresidents, a change board members approved during a parks board meeting.

The decision follows completion of a new $5,000,000 Active Adult Center. Staff told the board they want the higher fee in place when the building opens and suggested July 1 as the start date for the new rate for new memberships; staff said existing members would see the increased rate when they next renew.

Staff emphasized the change is intended to help cover operations and programming for the new facility after construction costs. "We're going to make a recommendation to you today to raise the fee as the new building opens," a staff member told the board, noting the city must look for new revenue streams as government funding changes. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote after a motion and a second.

The board also discussed residency verification for the new fee structure. Staff said the easiest way to determine city residency is whether a person receives a sewer bill or pays Franklin City property taxes; those who pay city taxes are considered residents. Staff said they will provide guidance at point of sale and create a map for staff that accept payments to confirm residency.

The board was told the ribbon cutting for the Active Adult Center is scheduled for July 1 at 11 a.m., with tours open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff said they will notify the public in advance and allow current members to renew at the old rate if they do so before the increase takes effect.

Board members and staff said they plan an advance notice period so members can renew at the existing rate before the increase. The parks board did not attach additional eligibility criteria beyond the residency verification methods described by staff.