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Council approves Parks & Recreation fee increases with targeted amendments for leagues and beach moorings
Summary
Parks and Recreation proposed a 19.5% baseline increase to many parks and program fees to improve cost recovery; the council accepted the package with amendments protecting youth recreational leagues, phasing certain fees, and moving some boat/mooring fees to full cost recovery where appropriate.
San Diego — The City Council voted 8–1 on March 3 to adopt Parks & Recreation’s FY2026 user fee schedule, which uses a 19.5% CPI adjustment across many program and facility fees but preserves targeted protections and separate adjustments for specific items.
Parks staff said fees fund a modest portion of recreation, facilities and program costs—pools, grounds use and cemetery services are among the largest revenue generators—and that most recreation fees remain heavily subsidized even after adjustment. The department projected the package would generate roughly $977,000 for the general fund.
Council amendments included moving to 100% cost recovery for certain boat mooring and beach bar fees, raising adult sports league fees to approximately 90% cost recovery for July 1, 2025 implementation, and excluding youth league fee increases from action after a separate amendment passed to protect youth recreational access (the youth league increase would have generated about $18,500 annually). Council also retained several projects and asked for a parks cost‑of‑service study.
Councilmember Campbell sponsored the motion with several amendments to prioritize cost recovery for commercial uses while limiting impacts on nonprofit youth and community programs. After debate and public comment from lifeguards, community groups and event leaders, the amended Parks & Recreation fee schedule passed, 8–1 (Councilmember Moreno voted no).
Why it matters: Parks programming and facility fees affect residents directly, especially lower‑income households who use public pools, youth leagues and community centers. Council asked staff to return with a cost‑of‑service study, pilot nonresident fees and proposals to increase equity in fee application.
Council action: Motion by Councilmember Campbell (amended), second by Council President LaCava; vote 8–1 (Moreno no).
