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Park Advisory Board reviews Recreation Center finances and 2025 fee changes
Summary
At its Dec. 5, 2024 meeting, the Park Advisory Board heard Recreation Center revenue figures showing membership growth and cost-recovery data and received an overview of the City Council-approved 2025 Administrative Fee Resolution (park impact fees and membership rules). Board members approved the agenda and minutes and adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
The Park Advisory Board met on Dec. 5, 2024, in Airway Heights. Parks & Recreation Director J.C. Kennedy presented November Recreation Center figures and an overview of the City Councilapproved 2025 Administrative Fee Resolution.
Kennedy said the Recreation Center logged 1,079 memberships in November, up from 1,040 in October, and that the facility has recorded 161,373 total entries so far in 2024, an increase of 4,086 visitors compared with the same period in 2023. As of Nov. 30, he reported the department had realized 93% of projected total revenue for 2024; membership revenue was at 88.1%, leaving a shortfall of $53,364.43 against the projected membership revenue mark.
Kennedy reported that the Airway Heights Recreation Center (AHRC) had a year-to-date cost recovery of 83.47% and that the AHRC General Fund subsidy year to date was $325,007.28, $153,513.90 less than the same period in 2023. He told the board that staffing remains the department's largest expenditure and that, since the Rec Center opened, FTE wages rose 20.75% and part-time wages rose 36.07%; his presentation did not break down other operating-cost categories such as insurance.
Kennedy said that, compared with a hypothetical 2018 staffing-and-programming model, operating the Recreation Center has cost taxpayers $57,709.73 less year to date. The director also said the City Council at its Dec. 2, 2024 meeting adopted changes to the 2025 Administrative Fee Resolution affecting park impact fees and membership rules.
The fee changes Kennedy described included Section 4 park impact fees (examples: $1,110 for a 0—-bedroom apartment or duplex unit; $2,775 for single-family and 3+-bedroom units; $1,387.50 for accessory dwelling units). He said Section 6 clarifies that the Recreation Center uses a membership fee structure, that resident rates extend to active-duty military and to businesses and their employees within City limits, and that proof of residency will be required at registration. The City Council authorized the Parks director to offer promotions to increase memberships and day use.
Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting was routine: Mrs. Musgrave moved to approve the agenda and Mr. Webb seconded; the board approved the agenda and later approved the Nov. 7 minutes on a motion by Mr. Webb and a second from Mrs. Musgrave. Mr. Webb moved to adjourn at 6:07 p.m.; Mrs. Musgrave seconded and the board adjourned.
The board did not take separate formal votes on the fee resolution or the water-rate action discussed in the meeting; Kennedy presented the Council-approved changes as informational updates. The Park Advisory Board did not set further follow-up deadlines during the public meeting.
