CITY COUNCIL AGENDA PACKET - Laserfiche WebLink

Page 3 of 6 tool for program planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, helping ensure that the department remains responsive to community expectations and is fiscally resilient. Recreational Program Fees As the first step in updating the cost recovery model, staff established a new set of service categories to better classify the full range of recreation offerings (Attachment 4). These categories group programs based solely on their purpose rather than participant demographics or delivery method. For example, the creation of a “Beginner/Recreational Program” category allows all programs designed for introductory-level participation to share a common max subsidy percentage, regardless of the participants' age or individual values. This purpose-driven approach eliminates arbitrary or inconsistent goal-setting, such as determining subsidy levels based on participant age, gender, or other non-programmatic factors. It also helps guard against subjective decision-making influenced by special interests or perceived social value, promoting a more equitable and objective fee-setting process. General Notes on Rental Fees In the proposed model, rentals with greater public benefit are eligible for higher subsidy levels, while those with limited community impact are given lower to no subsidies. This is accomplished through user categories, with co-sponsored user groups and the Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) receiving the highest GF subsidy, followed by non-profits, residents, and then non-residents and businesses. Over time, staff recommends aligning all GF subsidies for rentals, with co-sponsored user groups and PUSD receiving a 40 percent GF subsidy, non-profits receiving a 30 percent GF subsidy, residents receiving a 20 percent subsidy, and non-residents and businesses covering all expenses. As subsidies have been highest for field rentals and gym rentals over the years, those subsidies will have to be reduced slowly over time to align with other rentals. Additionally, previous fees established a differential between Pleasanton-based non-profits (>75 percent residents) and other non-profits. Staff recommends eliminating this distinction in the updated MFS, as it is often difficult or impossible to determine this residency percentage. Field Rental Fees Field rentals have been assessed using the same cost recovery methodology applied across all programs and services. Historically, co-sponsored sports groups were not charged for field use, resulting in a fully subsidized service. As such, subsidy levels for co-sponsored groups in this category are much higher than in any other category. On February 4, 2025, the City Council approved a new hourly rate for natural and synthetic turf fields for co-sponsored groups. While still highly subsidized, this rate represents an initial step toward cost recovery. The intent is to introduce the cost gradually without placing financial strain on the user groups. Please note that, per a previously commissioned consultant fee study, the rates for synthetic field use will actually decrease slightly for non-co-sponsored groups. It is important to note that co-sponsored groups renting gymnasium and pool facilities have historically not received the same level of subsidy as field sports. Page 140 of 864