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Mill Valley commission approves higher rental and golf rates, defers aquatics pass increases
Summary
The Parks & Recreation Commission voted May 7 to raise facility-rental, golf-clubhouse and pool-party rates (with resident/nonresident pricing) and sent proposed aquatics and fitness pass increases to the consent calendar for a later vote; staff will limit most increases to no more than 30%, with the family pass recalculated separately.
The Mill Valley Parks & Recreation Commission on May 7 approved adjustments to facility rentals, golf-clubhouse fees and pool-party rates while deferring proposed aquatics and fitness pass increases for a later consent vote.
Commissioners and staff said the changes are intended to increase cost recovery for the community center, which staff estimates is operating at roughly 66% of direct and indirect costs, and to help cover rising operating expenses. Deputy Director Jay Ingram told the commission staff estimate approximately $682,000 in additional revenue if the full package were adopted, though commissioners directed a narrower proposal for immediate action.
Why it matters: City council policy gives the commission authority to set fees for recreation facilities; staff said fee adjustments are one practical lever to reduce the gap between fees and facility costs and to fund needed repairs and programming.
Staff presented a tiered package of increases across facility rentals (community center rooms and bundles), golf green fees and pool-party rental structures. Christy Hubacher, facilities supervisor, reviewed proposed changes including new pre/post-event storage options and a recommendation to replace the existing “Mill Valley/Greater Mill Valley” categories with a resident/nonresident definition to align with industry norms.
Commission debate centered on how much sticker shock the community could tolerate. Commissioners repeatedly raised the prospect of a one-time large increase and urged a more gradual approach. “It does seem, you know, like a one-time 50% increase…is kind of a lot for the community to take on,” one commissioner said during the discussion. Staff and commissioners settled on guidance to cap most category increases at about 30% for this round while recalculating the family pass separately so it remains an attractive option for households.
The motion approved by voice vote authorized the governored increases for the golf clubhouse, facility rentals and pool-party rates effective with staff’s planned July 1 start, and explicitly excluded aquatics and fitness pass adjustments, which the commission asked staff to return in final form on the consent calendar. A friendly amendment accepted during the motion replaced the ‘Mill Valley/Greater Mill Valley’ language with resident/nonresident classifications in the final rates.
What to watch next: Staff will finalize rate tables, revise the family-pass calculation per the commission’s direction, and post the full proposed rates on the consent calendar at the next meeting. Aquatics and fitness pass increases — tied to YMCA comparables in staff’s presentation — were postponed for the commission’s later action. The commission also discussed bolstering outreach about the city’s scholarship program to mitigate access impacts.
Action taken: Motion to approve facility rentals, pool-party and golf-clubhouse rates (excluding aquatics/fitness) — passed by voice vote ('Aye').
Sources: Presentation and discussion at Mill Valley Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, May 7, 2025; comments by Jay Ingram and Christy Hubacher.
