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Council reduces community center rates for local nonprofits, sets Jan. 1 implementation
Summary
Council approved a new pricing and waiver policy giving local nonprofits a 50% discount off resident nonprofit rates and setting audio-visual and coffee service fees; implementation set for Jan. 1 to allow organizations time to plan.
The Fountain Hills Town Council on Oct. 7 approved new community center pricing that gives local nonprofit organizations a 50% discount off the resident nonprofit rate and standardizes fees for audiovisual and coffee service.
Kevin, the town staff member who presented the proposal, described a simplified three-tier price structure for the community center: full rate, resident nonprofit rate and local nonprofit rate. "What we discussed doing was doing 50% off of the resident's nonprofit rate, for all of our local nonprofits," Kevin told the council.
The revised schedule also raises the flat audio-visual fee from $25 to $30 and sets coffee service at $30. Staff recommended implementing the changes on Jan. 1 to give local nonprofits time to prepare; the council adopted that timing. The council approved the policy as drafted by roll call vote, 7–0.
Multiple nonprofit representatives and local groups addressed the council during the public comment period. Kim Walborski, treasurer for a local nonprofit, thanked the town for the rate review but urged clarification about a separate requirement in a June notice that had required renting two ballrooms on Saturdays. "That is a huge increase for a small club like we are," Walborski said, noting the cost impact if the two-ballroom minimum remains in place.
Beau James, speaking for the Fountain Hills Republican Club, said the Saturday requirement could push small groups to seek other venues. The 4 Peaks Rotary and other community organizations urged the council to keep the facility accessible to volunteer-run groups. Dory Wittrig, president of the Fountain Hills Community Foundation and a longtime resident, reminded council members that many small community nonprofits helped fund and sustain the facility.
Staff explained the Saturday pricing and the two-ballroom minimum reflect the community center’s “prime time” demand and the town’s effort to ensure consistent, equitable treatment of renters. Kevin said weekend rates are higher because outside events often seek the entire grand ballroom and a single-booking policy can limit that revenue; the new structure aims to make pricing transparent and uniform across staff members.
The council approved the revised community center fees and waiver policy and set Jan. 1 as the implementation date to allow nonprofits to adjust, notify members and plan future meetings under the new rates.
