Parks staff propose higher rental rates, new special-use permits; advisory board forwards recommendation to council

Missouri City parks staff presented proposed increases to facility rental fees and a new special-use permit structure and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board voted to forward the proposal to City Council with one amendment: recurring contracted organizations will be able to negotiate a fixed cleanup fee or cap.

The changes staff described would raise shelter and pavilion rates, create two special-use permit categories (commercial/public events and private rentals), increase costs for field lights toward a 50% subsidy, formalize cleaning and damage deposits and add a stage rental charge. Staff said they plan to present an implementing ordinance to City Council in November and, if approved, post the new rates and begin public notices with an intended effective date of Jan. 1.

Donnie (Parks and Recreation staff member) summarized the fee proposal, saying the suggested shelter fee increase would move the department “closer to the 100% cost recovery.” He told the board the proposal would set a large pavilion at $50 per hour (equivalent to $100 for a two-hour rental) and generally “about double across the board” compared with current rates.

Staff described two special-use permit…