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Council reviews pool-fee options and leans to retain family pass and resident discount
Summary
Staff presented three fee-structure options for the aquatic center; council favored keeping the existing resident/nonresident distinction and the family/household pass structure.
Spring Hill staff presented three options for restructuring aquatic center fees at the March 13 meeting; council discussion favored retaining the existing resident/nonresident distinction and the family or household pass option.
Why it matters: The city is preparing to move to online sales and wanted feedback on fee simplification that would ease online processing. Fees and discounts affect affordability and usage by families and residents.
Options presented by Public Works staff (summary): - Option A (status quo): Keep current rates and resident vs. nonresident distinctions, family (household) passes and existing discounts (early-bird discount, military/first-responder days, employee discounts, etc.). - Option B: Eliminate the resident/nonresident distinction but retain both individual and household (family) passes; staff estimated a single individual pass at $70 and a household pass at $145 to raise similar revenue under the consolidated approach. - Option C: Eliminate resident/nonresident distinction and remove the household pass, moving to only individual season passes (staff proposed $35 per person or $30 early-bird rate).
Council discussion and direction: Several council members said they prefer to keep the household/family pass because it benefits larger families and encourages pool use; one councilmember noted a family of six would be penalized by the per-person approach in Option C. The council also discussed verification and administrative burden for residency verification if fees remain differentiated. The council gave staff direction to keep the existing structure (Option A) and to proceed with implementing online payment and registration processes while preserving resident discounts and the household pass.
Other details: Staff noted swim-lesson pricing ($100 for an eight-session block of 45-minute lessons) and the pool's daily admission rate ($6) are roughly aligned with peer cities. Staff will return with a fee-resolution amendment consistent with the council's direction when ready.
