Staunton council backs summer-camp pricing for residents, delays broader fee changes to budget process

Staunton City Council on Jan. 9 discussed a multi-item proposal from Parks and Recreation Director Chris Tuttle to update facility rental, pool, field and summer-camp fees that have not changed for decades.

Tuttle said many fees have not been updated in more than 20 years and staff compared local market rates to recommend increases that improve cost recovery for labor and operations. “Many of our fees haven't changed in over 20 years,” he told council, and staff proposed resident and nonresident tiers, a four-hour rental option for facilities and larger pool-pass options.

Councilors focused discussion on Camp Stanton, the department’s weekday summer camp that runs eight consecutive weeks. Staff recommended increasing the resident weekly fee from $100 to $125; Vice Mayor Arrowood and several councilors argued keeping the resident rate at $100 helps working families access affordable childcare. Council reached a practical compromise: councilors agreed to proceed with the camp-fee package but keep the city-resident weekly rate at $100 and to implement a nonresident rate that is higher than the resident fee to reflect taxpayers’ prior support. Council instructed staff to bring other fee changes back through the FY2026 budget process for further review.

Councilor John Campbell said allowing city residents a one-week early registration period and holding the resident fee will reduce the first-come competition that families reported last season, when parents waited in long lines to secure spots. Tuttle said limited staffing and facility capacity — roughly 100 campers per week spread mostly between Gypsy Hill Gym and the Garden Center — constrain how much the camp can expand without additional budgeted staff and space.

On pools and rentals, staff recommended modest increases including a $4 per-visit pool admission (from $3) and a family season pass that covers both Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall pools. Staff said any new rental rates would take effect July 1 if council confirms them during the budget process.

Council’s direction: move forward with camp fees as discussed, retain the $100 resident weekly camp rate, adopt a higher nonresident fee, and defer final decisions on other Parks and Recreation fee adjustments to the budget process so staff can return with recommended implementation details and, if needed, a budget request for expanded camp capacity.

Vice Mayor Arrowood and Councilor Campbell emphasized retaining affordable access for city residents; Tuttle offered to return with additional options if council wants to expand camp slots and staff during the FY2026 budget cycle.