Monterey parks commissioners back 10% fee increase and phased maintenance contribution to address rising costs

The Monterey Parks & Recreation Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a 10% increase to most parks and recreation fees effective July 1, 2026, and to phase up the contribution of fees to a facility maintenance and improvement fund from 5% to 6% this year, increasing by 1 percentage point annually until it reaches 10% in fiscal 2031.

Shannon, a parks and recreation staff member presenting the proposal, said the department did not raise fees last year and is asking for a moderate, market‑aware increase now. "Those fees are going up by about 10%," she said, adding the department expects roughly $643,000 in additional revenue under the proposal, with approximately $386,000 directed to the facility maintenance fund at the 6% level.

The staff presentation framed the increases as a response to multiple cost pressures: utility costs for recreation and the…