Maricopa council hears proposed cuts to room and park rental rates and asks staff to return in February

City staff on Tuesday outlined a package of recommended changes to Maricopa's facility rental rates intended to boost use of city rooms, ramadas and outdoor courts while recovering directly attributable "hard costs," and Mayor Nancy Smith asked staff to return with a final proposal at the council's first February meeting.

Quinn (city staff) and Recreation Superintendent David McLeish presented utilization data covering Jan. 1'Dec. 31, 2024, and proposed lower base rates for many rooms, outdoor courts and open-space reservations; a decrease in light fees tied to measured electrical costs; and new policy language to support youth and adult recreational-league discounts and tournament considerations.

McLeish told council staff measured peak-hour utilization (for fields, evenings on weekdays and weekend daytime windows) and reported about 50% utilization for Copper Sky fields, 47% for multipurpose fields and lower rates for ramadas and open lawns. Staff said peak-hour utilization during seasonal high-demand windows can exceed those averages; for example, Little League seasons run a concentrated period in spring where utilization is substantially higher.

Key policy proposals include: - A youth-recreational-league discount (defined as leagues without tryouts and with at least 75% Maricopa residents) set at 50% of the lowest rate, modeled on the city's current Little League treatment. - An adult recreational-league discount using similar residency and structure criteria. - Allowing some nonresident businesses to qualify for local-business rates if at least 75% of program participants are Maricopa residents. - Case-by-case tournament rate flexibility to attract large events that produce hotels and restaurant spending.

Staff emphasized the changes are intended to grow utilization rather than match private-market rates; staff said Maricopa's current fees generally compare favorably to other valley cities. McLeish said some reduced fees (for rooms and ramadas) are designed to make off-peak hours more attractive to local renters, while lighting and other directly measurable costs would be charged separately to recover hard costs.

Councilmembers pressed for details on marketing and asked for language that allows staff to offer off-peak discounts. Councilmember Liermann proposed higher utilization goals; Councilmember Manfredi urged aggressive off-peak pricing so underused spaces draw users; Councilmember Gettle asked staff to return annually to review results. The city manager suggested using an internal allocation guide to give staff flexibility while avoiding last-minute mass bookings that would strain operations.

Mayor Smith recommended staff bring the revised rates and an off-peak proposal to the council's first February meeting; staff agreed to try to meet that timeline. Council directed staff to include a marketing plan, a clearer off-peak schedule and the recommended policy language for youth/adult league discounts and tournament evaluation when they return.