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Council approves parks fee schedule; debates Bob Hart Square rates and cosponsorships
Summary
The council adopted a parks and community services fee schedule to address rising costs and include Bob Hart Square as a reservable venue, while directing staff to craft partnership/cosponsorship flexibility to keep nonprofit and community uses viable.
The Merced City Council on Dec. 15 approved a revised parks and community services fee schedule that raises rental and program rates to better recover rising labor, supply and maintenance costs and adds Bob Hart Square Plaza to the city’s list of reservable venues.
Parks Director Chris Jensen said wages, materials and vandalism have increased and showed a facility‑by‑facility review demonstrating current revenue shortfalls. Jensen described three tiers for facility rental fees (base rental, nonprofit reductions and cosponsorships) and proposed eliminating the blanket nonprofit rate in favor of a model that preserves case‑by‑case partnerships or formal cosponsorships for events that align with departmental mission goals.
Public commenters including Liz Dobbins (who runs programs for adults with special needs), Gloria Sandoval and Gloria Valdivinos (Downtown Merced Partnership) urged the council to preserve affordable access for nonprofits and early‑phase activation for Bob Hart Square. Valdivinos warned that a proposed $125–150 hourly rental rate could make the plaza unaffordable for small downtown activations during the site’s launch phase.
Council members agreed the department needs predictable revenue but also that the city should preserve tools to keep community events feasible. The council approved Resolution 2025‑75 adopting the program and service fees and accepted an amendment directing staff to return with a partnership model (cosponsorship or formal partnership) and guidelines to enable reduced rates for qualifying community events. The motion passed 4–1 with Mayor Serrato voting no.
Staff noted options including a partnership fund, minimum booking hours, sliding scales and continued use of youth centers (which historically have not been charged) to preserve nonprofit access. Jensen said staff will return with implementation details and recommended criteria for partnerships.
