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Council weighs modest pool and recreation fee increases, asks staff to craft scholarship options
Summary
Parowan staff proposed modest increases to pool and City Rec fees (e.g., daily admission to $4.50, punch passes to $45, higher rental rates) to reduce subsidy; council members raised equity concerns and asked staff to explore scholarships; no vote was taken and the item was continued.
City staff presented proposed updates to pool and recreation fees during the Work Agenda discussion of Resolution 2026-08. City Treasurer Jerry Ross and Recreation Manager Amber Biasi outlined proposals including raising daily pool admission from $4.00 to $4.50, raising punch passes from $40 to $45 and introducing a spectator/non‑swimmer fee, increasing evening pool rentals from $150 to $200 and non‑resident rental rates to $250, creating pavilion rental fees (e.g., $50 for two hours), and adding lane rental fees at $10 per lane per hour with nonprofit/youth discounts.
Council Member Rochell Topham raised equity concerns for low‑income families in the Title I community, noting cumulative costs for large families could be significant. Council Member John Dean suggested targeting larger increases at private evening rental rates rather than daily admission and recommended exploring a formal scholarship or sponsorship program to ensure participation by children who cannot afford fees. Office Manager Connie Biasi and Recreation Manager Amber Biasi emphasized the pool’s financial and community value and noted evenings often book quickly, suggesting rental rates may be below market.
No final vote was taken; Council asked staff to develop scholarship/sponsorship options and returned the item to a future agenda. Some fee changes were already built into the current budget, and staff said the item can be continued without immediate adverse consequences.
