Residents urge Cape Coral council to reject proposed 80% parks and recreation fee hike

Dozens of residents packed Council Chambers on Aug. 4 to urge the Cape Coral City Council to reject a staff proposal that included an 80% increase in parks and recreation fees as one option to close a $1.6 million general-fund gap.

"Please do not balance the budget by making families, children, seniors, and recreational units pay more simply because controlling spending is harder," said Wes Owen during the public-comment period, criticizing staff options as "lazy and amateurish." Several youth-league officials and volunteers said the increase would force programs to raise registration, cut services or eliminate scholarships. "An additional yearly expense of approximately $24,000 would create significant burden for our league," said Deanna Livingston, who identified herself as president of Cape American Baseball and said the league serves more than 400 families each season.

Volunteers and parents described the city leisure centers, fields and leagues as essential community infrastructure that fosters teamwork and keeps kids engaged. "Lake Kennedy is a community center ... our community will lose far more than my attendance," Sherry Cox said, calling the 80% hike a "massive" jump that would price out the people the center was built to serve. Youth players also spoke: "Don't do this to me and my friends," said youth player Holden Warman.

The council did not vote on the fees during the workshop. After the public comments and council discussion, administration confirmed it would pull the parks-fee item from the next day’s agenda so council and staff can pursue alternative options.