Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sports Moas topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Signal Mountain council directs move toward higher cost recovery for youth leagues; proposes phased approach
Summary
Council discussed MOAs for youth baseball and softball and directed staff to notify leagues that the town intends to move toward roughly 75% cost recovery over a multi‑year phase-in; council produced a near-term example starting baseball at $1,500 for the coming season.
The Signal Mountain Town Council on Jan. 12 reviewed memoranda of agreement for youth baseball and softball and provided staff direction to pursue a consistent fee framework that increases the leagues’ share of direct costs.
Council members and staff cited last year’s baseball fee of $1,000 and discussed direct-cost calculations for in‑season services such as extra mowing, field conditioner and staffing. One councilor proposed stepping toward 75% cost recovery, with phased increases to avoid sudden pricing shocks to participants. “So are we comfortable giving direction to go to the leagues that we want to be at 75% in the next 2 years?” Mayor Elizabeth Baker asked during discussion; several council members suggested a three‑year glide path as a compromise between speed and affordability.
Council and staff hashed through options: charging a flat monthly room rental for instructors versus taking a percentage of instructor fees, building an annual schedule posted online, and distinguishing truly direct costs from general maintenance. Council members also discussed how leagues generate revenue—advertising, tournaments and concessions—and whether those revenue streams should affect the town’s expectation for cost recovery.
In practical terms, staff and council landed on a near-term example: increase baseball’s fee from last year’s $1,000 to $1,500 this season as a start, then escalate toward the council’s target (several members said 75% within about three years). Several councilors stressed fairness and asked staff to calculate direct costs consistently across leagues and to present an implementation schedule to the council.
The council did not adopt a formal, binding MOA at the Jan. 12 meeting; it provided direction to staff to negotiate with leagues and return with a proposed timetable and a written MOA that reflects the incremental increases.
