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Keizer approves 50-cent parks fee increase; council and residents point to specific park projects
Summary
Keizer City Council approved a $0.50/per-dwelling-unit monthly park services fee increase to raise about $42,000 for parks capital and maintenance. Public commenters and parks volunteers urged approval to fund Bob Newton Park, playground surfacing and other improvements. The vote passed 5'2.
Keizer City Council on June 2 approved a $0.50-per-dwelling-unit monthly increase to the city's park services fee, raising the monthly charge from $4.00 to $4.50 and expected to generate about $42,000 annually for parks capital projects.
City staff told council the additional funds would be invested primarily in park capital outlay, including completing phase 2 at Bob Newton Park and funding a facility plan for Keizer Little League (drainage and parking considerations). Parks volunteers and neighborhood residents spoke in favor of the fee during the public hearing, pointing to needed rubberized surfacing, playground repairs and park safety improvements. Rhonda Rich and Lisa Sajika, speaking as citizens (and the latter identified as Parks Board vice chair), urged passage.
Council discussion noted that the parks board should have been given an earlier opportunity to review the fee during the budget process; staff said the omission was an oversight. Council also asked staff to develop an affordability/waiver program for residents who cannot afford the fee; staff reported they are pulling data and will return with a proposal.
Vote: 5'2 (Councilors Christopher and Cross voted no).
Why it matters: the fee increase provides a dedicated funding source for small capital projects and repairs in Keizer parks; passage moves several projects forward in the city's 3'5 year parks plan.
Key details - Fee: increase of $0.50 per dwelling unit per month (from $4.00 to $4.50), effective Jan. 1, 2026. - Estimated revenue: approximately $42,000 annually; primary uses include Bob Newton Park phase 2 and a Keizer Little League facility plan (drainage, parking). - Public comments: residents and parks volunteers urged approval to keep projects on schedule and address vandalism and safety. - Council asked staff to prepare a program to waive or reduce fees for households in need; staff is collecting data to propose a program.
Ending: staff will implement the fee and return with details on the affordability program and the parks capital schedule.
