Lemoore council approves 3.7% user-fee increase, agrees to subsidize resident rentals for two rec-center rooms

The Lemoore City Council approved updates to the city’s master user-fee schedule on June 3, raising most fees 3.7% effective July 1, 2025, and directing a resident subsidy for two recreation-center rooms after concerns from regular renters.

City Manager Marissa Trejo told the council the increase implements a 2024 council resolution that required annual adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index. She recommended rounding down some fees for convenience and subsidizing the resident rate for the day-camp/multipurpose room and the dance/meeting room to $189 for a three-hour block instead of the 3.7% adjusted amounts.

The vote followed extended public comment from regular room users and business operators who said the change would push established community programs out of the recreation center. Florence Colby, a longtime Zumba instructor at the recreation center, said she would be forced to stop teaching if the higher fee took effect: "I only bring in $7.50 at the most a…