Rec program user fee increase is focus of public hearing

A proposal to increase user fees for the city’s recreation programs is the focus of a public hearing on Tuesday before the Whitefish City Council.

During the last budget review process, it was determined the Parks and Recreation Department didn’t have adequate revenue to offset the expenditures of several of the recreation programs, according to a staff report prepared by Parks and Recreation Director Maria Butts. To make up the shortfall, the city manager directed the Parks and Recreation Department to evaluate all program fees.

Butts said staff assessed the cost of each program, along with the typical level of participation in each program.

“However, in analyzing the fees for each service, it became apparent that some fee increases would potentially price some families out of the ability to participate in recreation programs,” Butts said in her report.

The department eventually came up with a proposal to use a use a membership option for the summer camp program, in which participants using those camp and after-school programs as a form of childcare, would be required to buy a recreation center membership, using the Roy Duff Memorial Armory as a recreation center. Other recreation programs, which as youth tennis and basketball, and other sports, would see a fee increase.

“It became clear that a combination of the two options would provide the most benefit to the community while also providing the most cost recovery,” Butts said.

The Park Board unanimously approved the proposal in January.

The City Council meets at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday at Whitefish City Hall.