Board considers 5% rise in facility rental rates, new priority for for‑profit renters

Director Dahl, with facility-use coordinator Gina Fern, presented a proposal to increase district facility rental fees by 5% and to add a fifth priority level that separates for‑profit rentals from out-of-district nonprofit users. The fee changes are presented as part of the annual budget review; the board will consider the proposal as an action item on June 9.

Dahl said the district does not raise facility fees every year and typically raises fees every two to three years to moderate each increase. "This year, we're proposing a 5% increase on all rental fees across the board," Dahl said, and added the district last adjusted most fees in the 2021–22 school year. He told the board the pool and turf had a more recent increase because those facilities have higher operating costs.

The new priority 5 would be applied to for‑profit businesses such as private dance companies or martial arts programs that come into the district to rent space. Dahl explained that most user groups (about 80%) fall under the district's community priority 2. When asked for a revenue estimate, Dahl said the district projects roughly $283,000 in facility revenue this fiscal year and a 5% increase on the roughly 80% of that revenue from priority 2 users provides a ballpark estimate of the gain.

Board members sought examples and clarification on priority tiers and asked whether capacity differences between gym categories explained price differences. Gina Fern, the facility use coordinator, was present as staff contact for follow-up questions.

The fee adjustment and priority change are scheduled as an action item for the June 9 board meeting; no vote was taken at the study session.