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Placerville commission backs 2.8% pool fee increase to offset minimum-wage rise
Summary
The Placerville Recreation and Parks Commission voted to raise aquatics fees about 2.8% to help cover rising labor costs after staff said pool revenues cover only part of operating expenses; staff will present the proposal to city council for final action and follow required notice procedures.
The Placerville Recreation and Parks Commission voted to raise aquatics fees about 2.8% to offset an increase in the minimum wage, giving staff direction to take the proposal to City Council and pursue any required notice and implementation steps.
Department Director Dennis Nishihara told the commission that lifeguard training is scheduled for March 30–April 3 and that the department plans to open the regular pool season May 30 through Aug. 7, with an extended season through Sept. 7. He said staff is seeking partners and additional funding to keep the pool operating and that repairs to a kiddie-pool pump will begin the following week.
Nishihara presented attendance and fiscal figures, saying aquatics brought in about $185,890 and that revenues cover only a portion of the pool’s costs. Commissioners noted that the pool has historically operated “in the red” and that county subsidy levels have declined. "If we keep the right price point, we can get more people in the pool," Nishihara said, urging a balance between affordability and fiscal responsibility. Another commissioner added, "It has to go up. I mean, it's just business," while Chair Andrei Pichte said he was reluctant to assume council would cover shortfalls without an explicit commitment.
Commission debate focused on two approaches: a modest fee increase tied to the wage adjustment, or efforts to boost attendance through marketing, early-bird pricing and programmatic changes (for example, special family or evening programming). Commissioners suggested sponsorships and marketing partnerships to increase utilization before or alongside any fee change.
After discussion the commission made and seconded a motion "to raise the fees" specifically described in the meeting as a roughly 2.8% increase to offset minimum-wage costs. The motion passed on recorded voice votes of "aye" with no nays reported in the transcript. The commission asked staff to present the fee adjustment to City Council and to follow the notice period required for fee changes.
Next steps: staff will finalize the fee schedule and associated materials for City Council consideration and will proceed with required public-notice timelines if the council approves the change.
