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Council pulls community‑center fee increases, reinstates forest‑practice fee
Summary
After a lengthy presentation and debate over proposed 2026 fee increases at the community center, the council removed the community‑center increases from the fee schedule and amended the schedule to reinstate a $320 forest‑practice submission fee; the amended fee schedule passed unanimously.
City finance staff and the community center manager presented a proposed 2026 fee schedule that recommended increases largely tied to inflation, including higher monthly membership fees at the community center. Community Center Manager Leif Ellsworth said the proposed 2026 membership increases would amount to roughly $7–$11 more per month for members and that the center aims for an approximate 85% cost‑recovery target.
Council members questioned the affordability impact, particularly for families and lower‑income residents, and noted upcoming temporary closures for pool repairs. The mayor suggested pulling the community‑center fee increases for additional review, and council members proposed alternative revenue strategies including scholarships, corporate subsidies and one‑night free family swim events.
Council amended the proposed fee schedule to reinstate a previously listed $320 fee for forest‑practice submissions and to remove the community‑center fee increases from the current adoption; the amendment and the main motion approving the fee schedule as amended passed unanimously. Staff said they will revisit the community center fees and return with refined proposals and financial analysis.
