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Council approves $5-a-month parks fee increase to fund operations center
Summary
The West Linn City Council voted to adopt a resolution raising the parks maintenance fee by $5.20 per month per residence to fund the parks portion of a new operations center; councilors stressed communications and a low-income rate option.
The West Linn City Council voted to adopt a resolution on Feb. 10 revising the city’s master fees and charges to increase the parks maintenance fee by $5.20 per month per residence to help pay for the parks share of a planned operations center.
Finance Director Lauren Brighthoff told council the monthly increase is intended to cover the parks portion of operating and construction costs and estimated the change would generate about $561,000 a year. “The parks maintenance fee by $5.20 per month, per residence…that portion is about 561,000 a year,” Brighthoff said.
Councilors asked staff to clarify how the fee applies to multifamily housing; Brighthoff explained the difference is meter-based and designed to account for vacancy rates when multiple units share a single water meter. Councilors also pressed for clear public messaging to explain why the increase is needed and how much of the project cost is already covered by other funds.
Mayor Blaszczak defended the decision as a long-term capital funding choice that minimizes impacts on core services. “As mayor, I know that asking residents to pay even $5 a month more in their fees is not easy,” the mayor said, adding that the project is intended to improve safety and efficiency for public works and parks operations. The council adopted the resolution by roll call vote.
