Davis fiscal commission accepts parks fee‑study methodology, urges focus on utilization and long‑term repairs

The City of Davis Fiscal Commission on Tuesday accepted the methodology for a parks and community services cost‑of‑services study and urged staff to prioritize boosting utilization of underused facilities and identifying long‑term funding for maintenance and improvements.

Commissioners voted to accept the study methodology, affirm the continued use of the city’s 2016 revenue and pricing policy as a framework, press staff to pursue funding mechanisms for capital replacement and long‑term maintenance, and highlight facility utilization rates for council review. The motion passed by a voice vote recorded as 4–0.

The study, prepared with Matrix Consulting Group, found Parks and Community Services currently recovers about 50% of its total operating costs — near the high end of typical ranges Matrix cited for peer agencies — and calculated an annual operating gap of roughly $737,000 for the categories covered in the analysis. Matrix also reported that recreational swim (Rex Swim) carries a baseline per‑admission cost near $16 while the city’s current charge is $7, producing one of the largest program deficits.

"A fee study doesn't mean you need to charge the number that comes out of this — it's more a fiscal tool that lets you know what it costs to provide those services," said Courtney Ramos of Matrix Consulting. "That lets council and staff make informed decisions about what to recover and what to subsidize for community benefit." The consultants recommended breaking some blanket fees into tiers (for example, small vs. large special events) and moving away from per‑player charges to usage‑based or standardized fees aligned with cost of service.

Parks staff added context about policy constraints and local priorities. "We are recovering approximately 50% of our total costs," said Tony Quac, assistant director for Parks and Community Services. He and Director Dian Mashado told the commission the study did not attempt to assign replacement‑level capital costs to every fee line and advised that dedicated replacement funds would be a separate but related budget conversation.

Commissioners emphasized steps beyond fee increases. Several members pressed staff to advertise underused rental spaces, capture utilization metrics, and consider modest fee adjustments only where market conditions allow. "Increasing utilization of what we have is almost free money," one commissioner said during debate, urging targeted marketing and clearer online information so potential renters can compare facilities.

The commission also flagged deferred maintenance as a high priority: the needs assessment referenced in presentations projects roughly $14.7 million of investment needed to bring existing park facilities to acceptable condition. Staff noted the new splash pad has a dedicated replacement fund and lifespan planning; most other facilities do not.

The commission asked staff to include utilization rates and examples of underused spaces when the study and recommendations are forwarded to City Council for review. The study and the commission’s recommendations will be included in forthcoming staff materials to council.

Next steps: the commission’s motion directs staff to present the study methodology, the recommended pricing framework derived from the 2016 policy, and the commission’s utilization and replacement‑funding recommendations to City Council for consideration.