Mitchell Park Board approves 2025 fee changes, raises some youth-sports rates

The Mitchell Park Board voted to adopt adjusted program and facility fees for 2025, approving changes the board and staff said reflect longer meeting times for older youth teams and higher operational costs for aquatics. Chair (Speaker 2) called for a motion after staff walked the board through line-item changes.

Parks staff (Speaker 1) told the board the city is “at 97% projections on revenue on campsite rentals” and laid out proposed fee changes for the outdoor aquatic center and several youth programs. Staff recommended raising a caregiver day pass at the aquatic center from $4 to $5 and rounding several season-pass prices for clarity.

Most debate centered on youth-sports fees. Recreation staff (Speaker 6) said some teams now meet more often and for longer sessions, which drove the proposed increases. After identifying a labeling inconsistency between age and grade designations, board members agreed the minors/U8 fee should be $55 and both U10 and U12 should be $60. Speaker 4 moved to approve the corrections; the motion was seconded and carried.

Board members stressed the changes are intended to align fees with program contact hours and staffing needs rather than to generate new revenue. “We’re gonna be meeting less time” for some classes, Speaker 6 said, while noting other groups will meet more and require additional staff time.

The board approved the rates with the agreed corrections and adopted the fee schedule for the coming season. Staff said registration for preschool and other spring programs will open in February and that staff will return with any additional contract items in January.