Lemoore recreation commission weighs raising youth aid cap and seeks answers after instructor rent hikes

The Lemoore City Recreation Commission discussed raising the cap on the Lemoore Youth Recreation Fund and requested staff research after recreation instructors reported steep increases in facility master-use fees, commissioners and staff said at a commission meeting.

Commissioners and staff focused on two connected financial issues: whether to increase the fund cap that offsets program fees for low-income families, and how recent changes to the city’s master-use fee schedule are affecting independent instructors who rent space in recreation facilities.

The youth fund discussion centered on the program’s current mechanics and a proposed increase. Marissa, the recreation manager for Lemoore City, said the fund now operates on a 70/30 split in which qualifying participants pay 30 percent of a program fee and the fund covers the remainder. “We are only budgeted right now, a hundred dollars per child,” Marissa said, referring to the per-child amount the city currently has allocated in its budgeting for the program. Marissa also said the fund’s balance was about $14,000 and that donations historically have come from private donors and service groups.

Commissioners discussed increasing the per-child cap to help families enroll multiple children. A commissioner said the current arrangement can leave parents paying an outsized share when registering one child for multiple programs and proposed raising the cap to $150 per child; another commissioner responded, “I’m fine with that. Raising it to $1.50 per child. That’s fine,” during the discussion. Staff and commissioners agreed the commission can help market the fund and solicit donations while the city finalizes a nonprofit vehicle (the recreation foundation) that would allow tax-deductible giving.

The commission also reviewed how the youth fund has been supported. Marissa said the December 2024 Breakfast with Santa event “did not make a profit,” and that recent fiscal years have not shown donations from the Lions Club. Commissioners suggested better publicity and a sponsorship or marketing packet to attract corporate and private donations.

Separate but related, commissioners raised concerns about recent increases to the city’s master-use fees that affect instructors who rent rooms in recreation facilities. One commissioner said recreation instructors reported that a $400 rent had been raised to “4,830 on 1, over 2,000 on another,” and asked how that could happen. The same commissioner said, “In the state of California, you can only legally increase rent by 10 a year,” and requested staff provide the city’s legal basis and timeline for any fee increases.

Brooke, a recreation staff member, clarified the commission’s authority over the fee schedule: the commission cannot unilaterally remove items from the city’s master fee schedule but can recommend changes to the city council. “We don't have that right, but we can make a suggestion to council,” Brooke said. Staff said they would attempt to compile rental-tracking data for the last two years—specifically how often the dance room and day camp room have been rented by members of the public—and bring that information to the commission’s next meeting so commissioners can consider whether to ask council for changes that would ease costs for instructors.

Commissioners also requested more precise financials on program revenues and on how much youth-soccer and other programs contribute to rec-center operations. Marissa said she could supply more detailed cost and utilization figures at a future meeting. Commissioners asked staff to add follow-up items to the next agenda: (1) a report on room rental counts and fees for the last two years, (2) a cost analysis of youth soccer and other major programs, and (3) draft materials for soliciting donations and sponsorships for the youth recreation fund.

Action and next steps were procedural rather than final policy changes: the commission did not adopt a formal ordinance or change the fee schedule during the meeting. Instead, staff were directed to compile the requested data and the commission agreed to develop outreach materials and discuss a formal recommendation to city council if the data supports changes. The commission set its next meeting for June 10, 2025, at which members expect to review the requested information.