Title
Resolution to Approve FY 2024 Fee Adjustments for the Community Services Area
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration and approval is a resolution authorizing fee adjustments and new fees for FY 2024. Annually, in conjunction with the preparation of the budget, Service Units review fee revenues to determine if the costs of the services rendered are covered by their fees or are appropriate in relation to comparative data.
When determining cost to serve, Service Units consider when fees were last increased and increases in expenses such as labor, materials and supplies, equipment, and overhead costs.
Community Services is proposing fee increases in Parks and Recreation Services for boat rentals at Argo and Gallup Liveries, various golf fees at Leslie Park and Huron Hills Golf Courses.
The attached proposed fee increases document shares the date the proposed fees were last increased and for many of them it has been several years. While the percentage rate increase is in some cases large, when it is considered over the length of time since the last fee increase most of them are less than 3% annually. As these proposed fee changes are at the golf courses and liveries, there several connected fees that staff needed to consider and adjust during this process. With the majority of greens fees increasing, it appropriate to increase the season pass fees and tournament fees as well.
All proposed fee increases have a corresponding comparative data document. These documents compare our proposed fees to those charged in other communities for similar programs or services. The proposed fees, when compared to those charged by other communities are competitive and typically more affordable than most. As a reminder, Parks & Recreation awards scholarships to income eligible Ann Arbor resident families. Scholarships are awarded based on need and there is not a limit on the number awarded.
Community Services is also proposing fee changes in the Planning Services Unit. For adjustments proposed, the fees are based on analysis, including measurement of actual cost incurred for similar petitions, and estimated cost of petitions for some petition types that are infrequent. Additionally, some fees for site plan modifiers are being eliminated, comprehensive land use plan fees are being eliminated, and site plan review fees are being amended and augmented to better reflect the current provisions of City Code.
Attached are the recommended fee changes for Planning Services and Parks and Recreation Services. Staff is recommending that Council approve these fee changes.
The Park Advisory Commission will review fees at their April 18, 2023 meeting and provide a written recommendation in a separate communication to Council.
Attachments:
FY2024 Fees Parks
FY2024 Comparative Data Golf Fees
FY2024 Comparative Data Liveries Fees
FY2024 Fees Planning
Staff
Prepared by: Josh Landefeld, Parks and Recreation Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, All Service Units of the City review their fees each year as part of the budget process;
Whereas, Parks and Recreation Services, Planning Service, and Building Services have reviewed their fees as part of the FY2024 budget submittal;
Whereas, The proposed fees are based upon the cost of providing services or on market comparative data; and
RESOLVED, That fees for Parks and Recreation Services and Planning Services be adjusted according to the attached schedules;
RESOLVED, That the attached fee schedules become effective according to the dates in the attached schedules; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the City Administrator to take necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.