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Parks commission raises VMAC fees, approves new concession oven to offset dwindling ARPA support
Summary
The Hartford Parks and Recreation Commission approved higher daily and season-pass fees at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center and authorized purchase of a new concession oven, citing declining Washington County ARPA support and rising pool costs. Both motions passed; one commissioner abstained on the oven purchase.
The Hartford Parks and Recreation Commission on March 4 approved increases to daily admission and season-pass fees at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center and authorized the purchase of a new concession oven, moves staff said are intended to offset a phased reduction in county ARPA funding and higher pool operating costs.
The commission approved staff’s recommendation to raise daily fees by $1 for city residents and $2 for nonresidents; season passes would increase by $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents; family passes were proposed to rise by $20 for residents and $55 for nonresidents. The commission’s packet estimated these adjustments would generate about $37,825 in additional revenue based on 75% of 2025 attendance figures. The Aquatic / Fitness Supervisor explained the recommendation and said the figures were benchmarked against comparable Wisconsin aquatic centers.
The fee motion was moved by Commissioner Dan Hummel and seconded by Commissioner Ken Mikulec and was recorded as approved. The staff memorandum noted Washington County used ARPA funds to raise lifeguard and instructor wages beginning in 2022 (the packet lists $41,500 in 2023) and that county support is declining by roughly 20% per year, to an anticipated level of about $12,000 for 2026. Staff said the fee changes are intended to make up for that reduction and general pool cost increases.
The commission also approved a capital purchase for the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center concession stand. Staff recommended buying a Pratica FIT XL rapid-cook oven for $10,457.33; the 2026 Capital Improvement Program included $17,000 for an oven replacement. The director acknowledged assistance from Ken Mikulec of Badger Popcorn in researching models. Commissioner Mikulec said the newer ovens typically ‘‘are good for about 10 years.’’
MOTION BY Joe Kohler, seconded by Chris Becker to approve the oven purchase not to exceed $10,457.33; the motion carried with Commissioner Ken Mikulec recorded as abstaining. The packet and discussion did not include a roll-call tally, and no explicit dollar-by-dollar breakdown of expected attendance was provided beyond the $37,825 estimate.
Next steps: staff will implement the fee changes for VMAC and complete the oven purchase under the 2026 CIP appropriation. The commission did not schedule any additional public hearings on the fee changes at this meeting.
