Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Rec Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council pauses field-fee increase after public outcry; directs updated cost study
Summary
After public comments from local sports organizers and a long council discussion, Dublin City Council voted to hold the recently adopted field-use fee at $75 per player per season for one year and requested an updated cost study by September before further increases.
City council voted to pause the second-phase increase to youth field-use fees after sustained public comment and council deliberation on May 26.
Matt Ehrman, director of parks and recreation, summarized the master plan results and the rationale for a two-tier pricing system (Dublin resident vs. nonresident) aimed at prioritizing resident access and improving cost recovery. Ehrman reported phased fee changes that moved the city from a three-tier structure to a two-tier structure; the $75 field-use fee (per player per season) was implemented in 2025 with a planned increase to $150 for fall 2026. Ehrman said staff will update the cost study and return with new data in September.
Multiple speakers from local leagues and residents described lost registrations after the change. Robert Burda told council that many Central Ohio municipalities charge under $60 and that Dublin’s changes had a substantial local impact; another commenter, Ken McMahon, said an estimated 498 Dublin Jerome students had stopped playing soccer because of the new rates. Council members expressed concern about basing policy on a single-year trend and asked for more granular cost and participation data. Several members urged outreach and partnership with schools and neighboring jurisdictions.
After extended discussion, the mayor moved and council approved a motion to hold the existing $75-per-player fee structure for the 2026 season pending the updated cost study to be returned in September. The motion passed on roll call (one no vote recorded). Council asked staff to provide the data used to derive the recommended rates and to include sport-specific cost breakdowns and participation metrics.
