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Mitchell board approves 3% rate increase and tighter 24/7 fob rules at rec center
Summary
The Mitchell Park Board approved a roughly 3% price increase for 2026 rec and aquatic center rates and adopted new 24/7 access rules that raise the initial fob fee to $25 and add a $25 reactivation penalty for policy violations.
The Mitchell Park Board on a voice vote approved a roughly 3% increase in recreation and aquatic center rates for 2026 and also adopted changes to the facilitys 24/7 access policy that raise the initial entry-fob price and add a reactivation fee for violations.
Thomas, rec center staff, told the board the proposed rate change is about 3% overall and that some line-item rounding was used to avoid awkward cents. He said utility costs have risen with the new fitness area and other added amenities, and that the increase was intended to cover higher heating and cooling costs. "We just have to, at this point, do a 3% increase," Thomas said during discussion.
The board approved the rate schedule after a motion; a second was recorded and members voted "aye." The packet showed the family membership figure will move from just under $800 to just over $800 under the new pricing.
On 24/7 access, Thomas explained the current system charges a $10 one-time fob fee and places no recurring financial penalty for misuse. Under the new policy, the up-front fob fee will rise to $25 and the board authorized a $25 reactivation fee that applies only if the fob is deactivated for violating access rules. Thomas said the change is intended to reduce incidents of members letting nonmembers into the facility during unstaffed hours and to provide clearer, enforceable penalties. "One of the things that's entered on this contract is plus any other applicable fees," Thomas said, describing language that would allow the center to assess day fees if a member lets in a nonmember.
Board members asked about lost fobs and enforcement. Thomas said a lost fob would be replaced by repurchasing the device without triggering the reactivation fee unless staff had deactivated it for policy violations. He described a recent incident in which a found fob was used to access locked wet areas overnight, saying the center used camera footage to confirm a safety risk.
The board approved the 24/7 policy changes in a separate motion; a voice vote resulted in approval.
The approvals were taken as part of routine business that also included passage of the meeting agenda, minutes and financial reports earlier in the session.
The new rates and the updated 24/7 terms will be posted with membership materials; staff said they surveyed front-line rec staff and members in preparing the proposal and noted they expect the changes to be revenue-neutral relative to rising costs rather than a major member-loss risk.
