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San Rafael study recommends modest recreation fee updates and phased childcare increases to protect services
Summary
Consultants and department leaders reported that recreation programs recover roughly half their total costs when administration is included and recommended targeted revenue steps (facility rental increases, nonresident premiums, aquatic fee adjustments) and phased childcare fee increases (7% in FY27, then 6% in FY28 and FY29) to preserve services and fund balance.
San Rafael’s Library & Recreation director and an outside consultant presented a recreation and childcare cost‑of‑service analysis on April 14 that found current recreation cost recovery is projected at about 61% without administration and about 49–50% when administrative costs are included. The study recommends targeted revenue measures and modest childcare rate increases to maintain service levels and fund balances.
Consultant Jesse Miat said the team analyzed three closed fiscal years and projected forward to FY29. “When we layer on those administrative expenses… we’re projecting more closely to 49 to 50% cost recovery,” he said. The consultant recommended a three‑part approach to generate roughly $100,000–$200,000 annually by FY29: raise facility rental fees about 5% year over year, increase a nonresident premium, and make targeted aquatic fee adjustments.
On childcare, staff said the program operates in an enterprise‑fund framework and faces personnel cost pressures. The recommendation was a roughly 7% fee increase in FY27 followed by about 6% in FY28 and FY29 to preserve a retained‑earnings balance of about $600,000 (about 60 days of operating expense) and keep the program self‑sustaining.
Staff also recommended establishing a predictable scholarship funding approach; staff estimated current small scholarship support at about $10,000 in recent budgets and said 50–100 participants currently receive scholarship assistance annually. The department plans to bring the full report to the Park & Recreation Commission and incorporate fee updates into the city’s May/June budget process.
