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LOCAL NEWS
Fees now same as 5 years ago Council continues talks about Park fee hikes in view of Initiative 695 SUNNYSIDE--(Monday, 12-13-99)--The city council would like to help city staff raise Parks & Recreation fees as costs increase, but it didn't happen at the council meeting this evening.   Parks Director Tom Byers--backed by the Parks Commission--requested a roughly 12% across-the-board hike in user fees for various Parks programs. If approved, it would raise about $5,000. Fees haven't been increased for five years.   Byers noted that the minimum wage for staff has increased. T-shirts that used to cost $5 now cost $7.50. Costs are up on everything. "People tell us if rates haven't gone up in five years; they should go up," Byers told the council.   Councilman Errol Brown asked whether the proposed fee hikes had been distributed to the public, which just passed I-695, the latest tax-revolt measure. "Or have they just been distributed to the (Parks) Commission?"   Brown noted P&R programs should be self-supporting. "Other cities have gone ahead with (fee hikes); if there's no increase, programs might take a cut, and the bite might be worse than now."   Councilman Chad Werkhoven said P&R fee hikes "are no doubt warranted, and are a bargain even with the raise. But I can just see tomorrow's headline: 'Council raises fees in view of I-695'."   Councilman Mike Farmer said "I feel torn, like Chad. I-695 was passed to limit increases in fees. But (P&R) fees haven't been raised in a long time. I lean toward supporting it. I think we need to support the (P&R) Commission and go along with it."   At least one person in the audience disagreed.   Dale Bailey cheered the council for taking I-695 seriously. But he added, "HEY! Don't raise things. We have a new initiative coming out. We can get by without it. HEY! Don't increase taxes, period," Bailey said.   The "new initiative" to which Bailey referred would roll back any tax or fee hikes initiated by state and local governments to last July 2, the date I-695 was first submitted to the state for entry onto the ballot for the Nov. 2 election.   P&R Commissioner Ellen Bird disagreed with Bailey.   "Personally I think (raising fees) is reasonable. It decreases taxes for people who don't use the programs. This is a user fee, not a tax. It keeps us from raising taxes," she said.   The $5,000 the fee hikes would raise now derives from the city's general fund--tax money. If fees are increased, P&R users would take the hit for fee hikes instead of taxpayers generally.   Proposed fee increases include:   Youth Sports: Current: $14 in-city; $16 non-city. Proposed: $16 in-city and $20 non-city. Swimming Lessons: Current: $14 in-city; $16 non-city. Proposed: $16 in-city and $20 non-city. Swim Pool Admission: Current: $1 ages 4-7 and $1.50 ages 8 to adult. Proposed: $1.25 ages 4-7 and $2 ages 8 to adult. Swim Pool Season Passes: Individual in-city from $35 to $40; Individual non-city $45 to $50; Family in-city $80 to $90; Family non-city $100 to $115. Park facility reservations for in-city folks; 49 persons, $10 to $12.50, zero deposit; 50-100 persons, $20 to $25, zero deposit; 101-300, $30 to $37.50 with $100 deposit; 301-500 persons, $50 to $62.50 with $300 deposit; 501 persons and up, $75 to $95 with $500 deposit. Park facility reservations for non-city folks; 49 persons, $12.50 to $16, zero deposit; 50-100 persons, $25 to $32, zero deposit; 101-300, $40 to $50 with $100 deposit; 301-500 persons $65 to $82 with $300 deposit; 501 persons and up, $100 to $125 with $500 deposit. Senior Citizen Center: In-city nonprofit group, $10/hr. to $12.50/hr. with $100 deposit; In-city private group $25/hr. to $32/hr. with $100 deposit. Senior Citizen Center: Non--city nonprofit group, $20/hr. to $25/hr. with $100 deposit; Non-city private group $50/hr. to $62.50/hr. with $100 deposit. Fees for recreation programs, adult sports leagues, and pool rentals would be based on costs to the city. Non-city users would pay at least 25-30% more than fees paid by city residents.   The council indicated the city should publish proposed rate changes and ask city residents to comment. To email city officials, press q . Do it now!