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Lynn Haven keeps legacy Lynnhaven Raiders fee for current season, asks staff to document costs
Summary
After impassioned public comment from coaches and parents, the commission agreed to accept the Raiders' $1,200 seasonal payment for this year, direct staff to document actual maintenance costs, and return before next season with a recommended fee schedule or exemption language.
The City Commission voted to honor the Lynnhaven Raiders’ existing $1,200 seasonal use fee for the current year while staff and the Raiders document actual field-maintenance costs for discussion before next season.
City Manager outlined options that staff had prepared: charging the published fee schedule ($75 per hour, about $11,400 annually for a typical season), keeping the longstanding $1,200 seasonal flat fee, or offering a discounted scheduled rate (for example, 25 percent off). Justin (sports and recreation staff) told the commission that city records show roughly $3,000 annually in direct turf restoration supplies at Kinsell Park plus additional untracked man-hours and increased utility use.
Coaches and board leaders described the Raiders as a 60‑year, nonprofit youth program serving about 150–200 children. Mike Russ, president of the Raiders, said the organization already pays other jurisdictions roughly $275 per hour for games and that an $11,400 assessment would severely strain their roughly $45,000 annual operating budget. Coach Devon Hayes said the group charges families modest registration fees and sponsors many players.
Commissioners expressed support for preserving the legacy program this season. One commissioner moved and the body approved a motion to leave the $1,200 fee in place for this year and direct staff and Raiders leadership to compile a transparent cost accounting. The commission instructed staff to bring a proposal back in the spring well before the next season so the body can set a clear fee schedule or formal exemption for legacy community organizations.
What happens next: Justin and Raiders leadership will document usage, receipts and staffing hours; staff will share power-bill and maintenance data with the organization and return with an implementation proposal for the following season.
