14.20.005 Fee Applicability.
A. Cost Recovery Standard. The Director or designee may adjust the adopted fee schedule based on the Cost Recovery Standard. Parks and trails are a public good supported mostly by public monies. Program fees are established for activities, events, services, and facilities based on the amount of individual benefit received compared to community benefit. The more individualized or exclusive the experience, the more the user is expected to cover the costs of using a public asset or service. If a service is normally provided by private industry or allows for individual gain, the user must pay all associated costs.
1. Programs that are for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities offer more community benefit to achieve social equity compared to services that are more competitive, individualized, and offered by private entities in the marketplace. The more exclusionary and individual the benefit, the less the activity is subsidized by taxes and the higher the cost recovery through fees is required.
2. Fee applicability is represented in Figure 14-1, Cost Recovery Standard, and implemented based on Figure 14-2, Cost Recovery Matrix.
Figure 14-1. Cost Recovery Standard
Levels | Parks | Facilities | Programs | Cost Recovery Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
High Individual Benefit: A special interest that benefits one or a small group, often to the exclusion of others (enterprise or profit center) | Specialty amenities, private/restricted use on public property, non-resident use | Private party rentals, concessions, retail | Private lessons or invitation only groups | 100 percent or more |
Mostly Individual Benefit: Requires an advanced skill that limits access or restricts open public usage (potentially competitive with the marketplace) | Specialty amenities that provide public/ resident experiences and picnic rentals | Tournaments, ongoing community group rentals | Competitive adult sports leagues, advanced or premier classes, trips | 75 – 99 percent |
Individual/Community Balanced Benefit: A program or service that is desirable for health, development, and human interest of the community, yet requires an individual commitment to participate | Non-profit partnerships (BMX, disc golf, sport clubs) that serve residents | Classes, lessons (fitness, dance, arts) | Youth sport leagues, general enrichment classes | 50 – 75 percent |
Mostly Community Benefit: An experience offered to individuals that the community strongly supports providing for social justice reasons or access to a premier public asset | Water access (gate fees and boat launch) | Drop-in center and program access | Programs for persons with disabilities | 25 – 50 percent |
High Community Benefit: A public asset that is available and accessible to all for equitable benefit | Trails, open space, and general park access | X | Department sponsored special events | 0 – 25 percent |
B. Fee Adjustments. The Director or designee may reduce posted fees upon request where greater "Community Benefit" can be demonstrated.
1. The Director of Parks and Recreation or Director's designee may negotiate fee adjustments or waivers:
a. On the basis of individual hardship;
b. To redress visitor complaints;
c. To a bona fide sponsor or partner with an agreement of allowable terms;
d. For purpose of marketing and promoting the Department;
e. When the Department will receive goods or services that are greater than or equal to the value of programs, services or facilities provided; or
f. As published in policies which protect public resources and provide public benefit.
2. The Director or designee may consider the following factors in temporarily adjusting or waiving fees based on the cost-recovery policy:
a. Prevailing rates for comparable facilities;
b. Day of the week requested;
c. Season of the year;
d. Amenities of the park area and site;
e. Demand for facilities;
f. Low-income/individual hardship eligibility requirements as adopted by the Department; and
g. Such other considerations as the Director or designee deems appropriate.
3. The Director or designee may also establish temporary fees for new facilities or services that are consistent with the Cost Recovery Standard.
4. All fee adjustments must have written approval by the Director and shall be kept on file by the Department.
5. The Director shall report to the Council any significant fee adjustments or waivers that exceed $1,000.00.