Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director of Parks and Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing to Consider Parks and Community Services Updated Fee Schedule
REPORT IN BRIEF
Hold a public hearing to consider the proposed Parks and Community Services fee schedule.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving Resolution 2023-46, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, approving Parks and Community Services programs and service fees.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to the City Manager for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
DISCUSSION
Staff is requesting Council adopt a resolution approving Parks and Community Services Fee Schedule Modification. The Parks and Community Services fees were last updated on June 2, 2008. Since then, California minimum wage has increased from $8.00 per hour in 2008 to $15.50 per hour in 2023. The result is an hourly rate for part-time staff that has nearly doubled since the last department fee increase.
Raising minimum wages coupled with increasing cost to provide public recreation services makes it necessary for the Parks and Community Services Department to increase several fees for programs and services to reduce the reliance on the City’s General Fund. While the department does its best to recruit volunteers for special events, youth sports and other services, staff are required for nearly all programs and activities to ensure standards of practice, safety, and quality of service. Full-time staff oversee regular and after-hour activities, but at least two part-time staff are needed at various function to assist with our growing number of participants and attendees.
One example to highlight the required fee schedule adjustment is summer camps. Currently, participants pay $25 per week to attend camp from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, five days a week. Children are provided free play time, organized activities, arts and crafts, visits from special guests and free lunch each day. The hourly fee collected for one child to attend for all five days of the week is roughly $1.11. The average hourly rate for part-time staff is $15.50, a difference of $14.39 per hour. The department must be able to cover this differential cost to ensure appropriate staff to participant ratios.
Contracted services have also increased in cost, widening the gap between revenue and expenses. The current fees associated with field and facility use cannot support internal nor contracted services to manage recreational facilities. Increasing rental fees for field and gym use allows the City to manage its facilities more effectively to ensure equitable use by renters and the community. Currently, facilities are opened and closed but not regularly staffed due to having to limit the expenses. This often leads to misused or damaged venues that the city is asked to eventually repair.
The proposed fees for services and facility use are in line with regional rates including those charged by the City of Atwater, the City of Los Banos, the City of Gustine, the City of Riverbank, and the City of Turlock.
City Council recently voted to increase the contribution to the Departments voucher account from $8,000 per year to $13,000 per year. If Council approves the proposed fee schedule, the annual contribution to the voucher account enables the department to fully scholarship 160 youth at minimum with the potential to fully scholarship 260 youth per year.
Moreover, the proposed fee schedule affords the department the ongoing opportunity to use Measure Y funding to offer free events, programs, and services to the community. This includes events such as Movies in the Park, Youth Fest, and the annual Trunk or Treat, in addition to free seasonal sports clinics.
Consequently, staff recommends a modification to the fees approved in 2008. The attached fee schedule addresses the gap between expense and revenue currently experienced by the department, allowing for more equitable use, effective management and sustainable operation of Park and Community Service facilities and programs.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of general fund is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2023-46
2. EXHIBIT A 23-24 P&CS Proposed Fee Schedule for Resolution 2023-46