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Kearney board raises select reservation fees to cover rising event lighting and staffing costs
Summary
The Kearney Park and Tree Board approved revisions to the park reservation fee schedule, including raising one-day rodeo/demo derby fees from $400 to $500 and adding charges for ball-field lights; the change is intended to recover increasing electricity and staff costs.
The Kearney Park and Tree Board voted Nov. 19 to approve changes to the park reservation fee schedule to offset rising electricity and staffing costs for events. The board approved the measure by voice vote after staff walked members through four specific changes to the schedule.
A parks staff member said the board wants to raise the one-day rodeo/demo derby fee from "$400 to $500, and the main reason is the lights." The staff member also proposed a $50 increase for two-day rodeo/demo derby events and said the city will begin charging $30 for ball-field reservations at Mac Pooler Park, noting that ball-field lights have driven up costs.
Members discussed whether event organizers should convert to LED lighting and how to enforce lights being turned off after events. The staff member said LED conversion would be the responsibility of event organizers and that the staff will add contract language allowing the city to assess a fee if lights are left on. The board approved the revised fee schedule and the staff confirmed the change will be included in the park reservation agreement.
The board also clarified amphitheater use fees and staffing: staff said an additional $2,000 covers city staff/sound technicians when the city's system is used, and rental fees include equipment and technician charges to protect expensive digital equipment. The board adjourned after approving the fee schedule.
