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Salem adopts community service fee adjustments; expands some youth waivers
Summary
After a multi‑month study, Salem council adopted a fee‑adjustment package to rebalance cost‑recovery across recreation, library and center‑50+ services and increased certain youth‑recreation fee waivers from 20% to up to 50% for specified events.
The Salem City Council adopted Resolution 2025-24 on Nov. 10 to adjust certain community‑service fees and expand youth recreation fee waivers. James Wharton Hess, a budget analyst, summarized the fee study completed with the Matrix Consulting Group. The study set minimum cost‑recovery targets across a "community benefit" pyramid and recommended targeted increases for fees that were below the new minimum thresholds.
Highlights of the staff recommendation included raising youth recreation fees to a 35% minimum cost‑recovery target, increasing many parks and center‑50+ fees toward a 50% target, and increasing adult recreation fees toward 100% cost recovery. The finance committee recommended the staff proposal and proposed expanding youth‑recreation waiver coverage (including track meets and tennis tournaments) and increasing some waivers from 20% to 50% for qualifying events.
Councilors questioned the impact on nonprofits and community groups (the League of Women Voters testified about meeting‑room costs). Staff said an existing 20% nonprofit waiver remains in place for certain facilities, and that changes to that program would require separate council policy action. Councilors also asked staff to assist community groups in finding more affordable meeting space and to monitor impacts.
The resolution passed on roll call with all present voting Aye; Mayor Hoy absent. Staff will implement rate changes timed to the 2026 recreation season and expand waivers as described in the adopted resolution.
