Council approves new city-run youth soccer program and updates recreation fee schedule

The Brigham City Council on Dec. 4 approved a recreation fee resolution that adds a phased, city-run youth soccer program and set initial participation fees. Recreation Director Chris Horsley described a quality‑first rollout: a TOTS/U6 division (ages 3–6) in the first phase, followed by incremental expansion to U8, U10 and U12 divisions and an adult 7v7 offering.

Horsley explained the program will use the sports complex and offered projected participation and fees for the initial phases: a TOTS session at about $40 and a U6 session around $46, with larger-division fees to follow as the program expands. Staff said the TOTS program will be six weeks long and U6–U12 seasons will be approximately eight games; younger sessions will combine practice and game time to reduce scheduling pressure.

Council members praised the initiative but raised concerns about field availability and the effect of city fees on independent clubs that have moved activity outside city parks. Several council members requested staff to revisit the field‑use fee structure and to open negotiations with local clubs about access and pricing so the city can seek ways to attract community teams back to Brigham City fields.

Councilmember Trox moved to update the recreation fee resolution to include the proposed soccer fees; Councilmember Hipp seconded the motion. The council took a roll‑call vote and the mayor announced the motion passed. Staff said they will update and return comparisons of maintenance costs and regional field‑use rates and requested authority to negotiate with leagues and user groups as needed through the budget process; council asked for that work to be brought back in January.