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Park Board approves proposed nonresident fee increases, readies five-year park impact fee update
Summary
The Park Board approved proposed resident/nonresident rate changes for cemetery, rentals and pool fees and was briefed on the five‑year park impact fee update that will go to city council in January 2026.
The Franklin City Park Board on Oct. 16 approved a package of proposed 2026 fees that raises nonresident rates for cemetery lots, facility rentals and some program charges while generally holding resident rates steady. The board also received an update on the upcoming five‑year park impact fee plan revision.
By motion and voice vote the board accepted the pricing proposal presented by staff. Staff said the cemetery resident lot rate would increase modestly and nonresident cemetery rates would rise by a larger increment to better reflect the fact that city residents already pay for parks through property taxes. Staff described the approach as a consistent policy: resident rates remain largely unchanged while nonresident rates move closer to the resident contribution level.
Staff provided several usage figures to justify the changes: the current park-impact-fee balance is roughly $360,000 and the city receives about $150,000 per year in impact fees depending on development activity. Staff also supplied rental and membership snapshots showing many rentals and pool-party bookings coming from nonresidents; for example, staff said pool pass sales totaled $81,656 this season and the aquatic center’s reported summer revenue was about $131,438.73. Pool admission prices were not changed in the proposal; rental and membership nonresident rates were increased.
Staff told the board the five‑year park impact fee plan (2026–2030) must be updated and will include a 10‑year capital outlook to support the fee formula; staff said the board will see a list of potential capital projects at the November meeting and a draft fee plan in December before the city council reviews it in January. Staff said the updated fee would go into effect after a required notice and a six‑month waiting period, with an anticipated start date for new fees in mid‑2026.
Board members asked procedural questions and were told staff will provide the draft endowment agreement, the fee schedules and the impact-fee project list at upcoming meetings. The board approved the pricing package and the staff will carry the update forward to the next steps in the formal review process.
The board approved the fee changes and accepted staff’s plan timeline by motion and voice vote.
