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Parks committee backs fee schedule that raises golf rates, plans 3% card surcharge
Summary
The advisory committee endorsed a parks and recreation fee schedule for referral to the City Commission that includes roughly 10% golf-fee increases, expanded dynamic pricing, and a planned 3% credit-card surcharge expected to begin Oct. 1 to recoup processing costs estimated at about $50k–$60k a year.
Jeffrey Biggers, general manager of the Fernandina Beach Golf Club, told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee that the golf course has not raised fees in more than two years and proposed across-the-board increases of about 10 percent to better align with industry pricing. "We will be charging a fee for credit cards starting on October 1," Biggers said, and staff identified 3% of the total as the likely surcharge.
Parks and recreation Director Scott Michaelson said the department’s new point-of-sale system will allow staff to collect card-processing costs but cautioned that the city legally may collect only what the processor charges. Michaelson told the committee that the fee schedule will go to the City Commission for a first reading on Aug. 19 and that the schedule can include authority for staff to use dynamic pricing within approved ranges.
Committee members asked for early public notice of the card surcharge and questioned whether the proposed increases would fully "catch up" after two years without a rise. Biggers estimated the city paid roughly $50,000–$60,000 in card processing fees last year and said the surcharge could cut the city’s net expense by a substantial share; he added that cash and check payments would avoid the charge.
The committee discussed membership and marketing changes for the golf course, including year-round prorated memberships and prepaid 10-round cards as incentives. Biggers said those options and dynamic pricing are intended to increase rounds and reduce the general-fund transfer to the golf enterprise.
Members also debated other revenue options across parks, including paid downtown parking and charging for high-use amenities such as pickleball courts. Michaelson confirmed the department previously sold keys for courts and said charging could require attendant staffing or other operations changes. He also outlined plans for fee-assistance policies and possible targeted discounts; staff was asked to prepare proposals on military discounts and donation-funded scholarships so the commission can consider affordability measures.
Michaelson asked the committee for a consensus to forward the fee schedule to the City Commission; the committee indicated its support during the meeting. The schedule now moves to the commission for formal readings and any subsequent changes.
