Parents and coaches urge Post Falls to waive field fees as Little League leaders cite $12,000 annual charge

Multiple residents and youth‑sports representatives told the council on March 17 they pay high fees to use city ballfields and asked for relief or a policy change.

Bill Carlson, who identified himself as representing Little League and American Legion Baseball, said Little League pays about $12,000 a year to play on city fields and that volunteers perform much of the maintenance work. “We just don’t understand why on a city field that the taxpayers own that they pay $12,000,” Carlson said, asking the council to investigate whether the fee structure can be reduced.

Pansy Baker, vice president of Little League, said the organization is using approximately seven to eight city fields this season and has just under 420 registered players. She said player registration ranges roughly from $90 to $165 per season depending on age and that Little League offers scholarships. “If you break it down … we’re paying a lot of money for the usage of the fields,” she said.

Coach and volunteer Steven Tsuji told council that even modest fees can be a barrier and that scholarship funds are depleted by the required facility fees. “With these fees, there’s no money left for scholarships,” he said.

Council members said they were unaware the fee burden was so large and asked Parks & Recreation staff to return with the league’s contract, documentation of fees paid in recent years and options for fee relief or alternative arrangements. Parks staff agreed to bring the agreement and historical payment data to a future meeting.

No formal council action was taken that night; council directed staff to report back with documentation and recommendations.