ASTORIA, OR, December 10 – On Monday night the Astoria City Council approved an increase in fees for services provided by Astoria Parks and Recreation.
The Parks and Recreation Department charges fees to assist in the cost recovery of operations. The Department’s budgeted cost recovery for the 2015-2016 fiscal year is 52%. In order to meet this budgeted allotment an increase in fees is necessary.
The price adjustments, which will begin to roll out on January 1, 2016, include increases at the Aquatic Center, the Astoria Column, Ocean View Cemetery and Rental Facilities. Other fees charged by the APRD for program based activities are not included in the 2016 increase schedule to allow flexibility for maximum cost recovery as programs vacillate.
The Aquatic Center Pass and Land and Water Pass will increase by roughly 12% and will be sold on a monthly basis rather than quarterly. The passes will be offered with a discount for automatic electronic renewal payments debited directly from the customer’s bank or credit card. The new fees will initially cover 71% of the approved lifeguard wage increases and other Aquatic Center costs. Subsequent fee adjustments will be considered in the next fiscal year to cover the remaining costs. Aquatic Center fees have not increased since 2009.
City Council also approved a parking fee increase from $2 to $5 at the Astoria Column. The increase will change the management agreement between the Friends of the Astoria Column and the City of Astoria. The additional fees will benefit the City of Astoria with an estimated additional $10,000 of revenue per year. In addition, $1 will go to a restricted fund with the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) for future restorations; $1 to a restricted fund with the OCF for Capital Expenditures such as; new restroom, gift shop, or interpretive center; and $2 will go to the Friends of the Astoria Column General Fund for the ongoing care and maintenance of the Column and Astor Park.
Fees at the Ocean View Cemetery will increase 10% beginning January 1 and again each year through 2022. The yearly increase will ensure the cemetery maintains national, state, and local standards.
Additionally, the Astoria Recreation Rental Division fees will also increase to account for the cost of providing the rental services. For a complete list of the approved fee increases, please visit the website at www.astoriaparks.com.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Angela Cosby, Director of Parks and Recreation at acosby@astoria.or.us or 503-298-2460.
Complete list: http://www.astoriaparks.com/APRD_2016_Fee_Increases.aspx
