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Park board approves aquatic fee increases across city pools, citing upkeep and maintenance funds
Summary
The Dallas Park and Recreation Board approved increases to fees at 20 aquatic facilities with estimated additional revenue of $185,536; board members pressed staff about affordability for low‑income families and how the revenue will be used.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Board on April 3 authorized increases to specific aquatic fees across 20 aquatic facilities, with staff estimating the change would generate $185,536 in additional revenue.
Board members discussed the proposal’s potential impact on affordability and how the revenue would be allocated. Board Member Harrison asked whether the increases would make programming inaccessible for low‑income families and raised the concern that caregivers in the community often pay for multiple children. Harrison said the board’s intent should be to ensure municipal services remain affordable for “the everyday average citizen.”
Parks staff said the fee adjustments targeted private reservations and certain season passes and that family and community pools would remain accessible. Ahmed Provo and another staff member (identified in the meeting as Mr. Frost) told the board that private‑event reservation fees would see the largest increases because those rates are currently well below market; the higher private‑event pricing is intended to better cover the cost of staffing and services associated with those events.
John D. Jenkins, director of Dallas Park and Recreation, told the board a portion of the new revenue would be placed into a multiyear maintenance fund to cover preventative and ongoing repairs for aquatic facilities. Jenkins also explained the department’s historical revenue split with the city’s general fund varies by program — offering golf as an example that previously shifted from a 45/55 split to a 55/45 split in favor of parks — and said the department is pursuing opportunities to retain a greater share of revenue generated by parks operations when permissible.
Board Member Slaughter praised staff for the community focus in their analysis and Board Member Digby asked for a clearer breakdown of how much of fee revenue the department retains versus what goes to the general fund; staff said the split varies by facility and program and that they would provide more detailed figures.
A motion to adopt the fee changes was made by Board Member Goldstein and seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote. Staff estimated the increased revenue at $185,536 and said it would support maintenance, lessons and program access, with continued emphasis on swim lessons and community outreach to preserve affordability for school‑age participants.
