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Essex County approves modest parks fee increases and a $2.29 million golf‑cart contract
Summary
The Essex County Board approved modest fee increases across parks, zoo and golf operations expected to yield about $1 million in revenue for 2026, and awarded a $2.29 million contract to rent electric golf carts and maintenance vehicles for county courses.
The Essex County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a package of modest fee increases for parks and recreational services and ratified a multi‑year golf‑cart rental contract.
Parks director Joshua Zates presented the proposed 2026 fee schedule, which raises prices across divisions including archival tours, Cody Arena programs, the environmental center, golf courses, the main parking deck and Turtle Back Zoo group rates. Zates said the adjustments are expected to bring roughly $1,000,000 in additional revenue for 2026 and described the increases as modest and largely routine.
Commissioners asked about prior grant restrictions on the parking deck, the frequency of increases and measures to shield county residents from cost growth. Zates said the deck subject to charge is the oldest facility and that he was not aware of grant restrictions that would prohibit modest increases; he confirmed many fees are adjusted annually and that new in‑county/nonprofit distinctions were being introduced for permits and golf rates.
The board then voted to introduce the ordinance for first reading and approved it by roll call (mover: Commissioner Mercado; second: Commissioner Seebold).
At the same meeting the board approved resolution 11 to award a contract to Forza Golf Carts for rental of electric golf carts and related maintenance vehicles for county courses. The contract, covering May 1, 2025–April 30, 2030, was described as ‘‘amount not to exceed $2,290,673.44’’ and includes 205 patron carts (approximately 68 carts per course), 27 maintenance vehicles, one handicap vehicle and a $100,000 allotment for repairs. The motion was moved by Commissioner Richardson and seconded by Commissioner Cooper and passed on a roll call vote.
The board framed both actions as measures to sustain park-system operations and invest in improved facilities the administration said residents now expect. Several commissioners asked the administration to provide clear messaging to residents explaining how revenue supports maintenance and improvements.
Next steps: the ordinance will be run into the record for introduction/first reading and later move to second reading per the board’s ordinance schedule.
