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Hermiston adopts updated master fee schedule; parks staff propose new event permit and individual aquatic passes
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 24-14 updating the master fee schedule. Key changes include a move to individual aquatic passes with tiered discounts, a new booking fee for community-center rentals, higher insurance requirements for large events, and a new special-event permit fee for organized park events (25+ people) with a 50% discount for 501(c)(3) organizations; council debated resident exemptions but approved the schedule unanimously.
Hermiston’s City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 24-14 on March 23, approving a comprehensive update to the city’s master fee schedule that includes new pricing and administrative changes across parks and recreation, community-center rentals and special-event permitting.
Parks staff proposed replacing family splash passes with an individual-pass system to reduce misuse and streamline check-in. The staff presentation said 2025 included 362 splash passes (converted to 758 individuals) and that the proposed model would make an individual pass $85, with tiered volume discounts (example: 2–3 passes at $65 each and larger group discounts down to $50 per pass for very large purchases). “Our program essentially runs June 12 through the Labor Day weekend,” the presenter said, explaining visit counts and break-even calculations.
Staff also proposed a new special-event permit fee for organized park events with 25 or more attendees to provide oversight (restroom needs, electricity, safety) and to offset planning and staff time. The presenter emphasized that ordinary small gatherings, birthday parties or pavilion rentals would not require the special-event permit; 501(c)(3) organizations would receive a 50% discount. Several councilors expressed concern about charging residents for family gatherings and urged exemptions or lower tiers for local users. Staff said the permit targets larger organized or commercial events and provided examples of permit fees in nearby cities.
Councilors debated caps, equity for residents, and whether local groups should be exempt. "I get why we're looking to — I'm gonna stick to the special-event fee for just a moment... I don't like it, but we've got inflationary costs," one councilor said. Another suggested offering incentives to groups that leave parks clean. After discussion, council adopted the master fee schedule update as presented.
Why it matters: The fee changes affect how residents and groups pay for pool access, facility rentals and organized events; several councilors requested staff monitor impacts and consider resident exemptions or caps in lower tiers.
What’s next: Staff will implement the individual pass system for the aquatic center for the upcoming season, update rental and insurance language, and apply the special-event permit policy for larger organized uses of city parks and trails.
