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Parks board approves fee exemption for Fort Bend Mental Health's Hope in Motion walk in Sugar Land
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Summary
Sugar Land's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved a fee-exemption appeal for Fort Bend Mental Health's Hope in Motion fundraiser, waiving $1,709.50 in park fees and asking the organization to provide clearer local-participation and financial records going forward.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board of Sugar Land approved a fee-exemption appeal for Fort Bend Mental Health's Hope in Motion walk, permitting the group to use the Brazos River Park Bowl without paying roughly $1,709.50 in city park fees.
Brianna Williams, assistant director of Parks and Recreation, told the board the department denied the committee's original exemption request because the applicant's headquarters is in Richmond, the submitted board-member list included only one Sugar Land resident (the policy requires 51 percent), and national-membership thresholds in their application did not meet the city's residency rules. Williams outlined Sugar Land's five eligibility criteria and emphasized the department's review is governed by the ordinance that established the fee schedule.
A representative for Fort Bend Mental Health, the newly formed local nonprofit running the Hope in Motion event, described the organization's mission to promote mental wellness and suicide prevention across Fort Bend County and explained the walk is volunteer-run. The presenter said the group received 501(c)(3) approval earlier this year, that the event is scheduled for May 9 at Brazos River Park, and that prior years the group had been associated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Board members questioned the applicant about local impact, advertising and attendee data, and how much of past fundraising stayed in the Sugar Land area. The applicant said past events tied to the national organization sent a substantial portion of funds to national accounts, but that for 2026 the group planned to keep half the funds locally and remit half to the national partner while building its local operations.
During discussion, multiple board members said they were sensitive to Parks & Recreation's constrained budget and the precedent set by fee waivers; staff confirmed the city policy allows only full exemptions or none (no partial percentage waivers). Several members encouraged the applicant to collect and share address-level registration data or local-impact statistics for future applications and noted sponsorship or venue support as alternatives to a waiver.
Joan Hanson moved to approve the exemption; after brief discussion the board carried the motion by voice vote. The board asked that the organization maintain clearer financial records and provide data showing how events benefit Sugar Land residents in future requests. The board's recommendation will go to the department director, who retains authority to act on the recommendation under city policy.
The board's action allows the Hope in Motion walk to proceed at Brazos River Park with the requested fee waiver; the organization was asked to share post-event records and residency data so future decisions are informed.
