Board discusses tennis program splits, subsidies and price scenarios ahead of February decision

Parks staff told the board the tennis program remains popular and generally well rated by participants but is subsidized: last season expenditures were $11,622.37 while collections totaled $6,728.25. The staff presentation and board discussion focused on whether to keep two payment models or consolidate them, how the county partnership affects revenue splits, and whether modest, staged fee increases or a revised split could move the program closer to breakeven.

Staff reviewed two models: a 70/30 split that treats instructors as city payroll (70% to the city) and a 65/20/15 model that treats an instructor as a contractor. The county currently handles registration and advertising; staff and board discussed the pros and cons of continuing that arrangement versus acquiring software or taking registration in‑house. Staff asked for permission to return in February with a simple chart showing the fiscal impact of $5 and $10 fee increases under current splits and under alternative splits so the board can make a timely decision ahead of the county's program‑guide deadline.

Members raised programmatic concerns — offering more evening lessons, scholarships for city residents, and whether to pay instructor staff directly — and asked staff to confirm coach Jorge's availability and model preference before committing to changes. Parks manager summarized the subsidy ratio: "For every dollar that we receive, we are paying $2.29 to make the tennis program run," and recommended incremental rate increases rather than a single large hike.

The board did not change program policy at the meeting but agreed to meet in February (a proposed special session or the rescheduled regular meeting) to finalize rates, splits and scholarship options in time for program advertising.