Form revised March 10, 2005
2006 BUDGET LEGISLATION FISCAL NOTE
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Department: |
Contact Person/Phone: |
DOF Analyst/Phone: |
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Seattle Parks and Recreation |
Grace Harris/684-8005 |
Tyler Running Deer/684-8075 |
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Legislation Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Parks and Recreation, establishing the revised 2005-2006 fee schedule for the use of park properties and other park and recreation facilities and services; superseding previous park and recreation fee schedules; and amending Section 18.28.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code. . |
· Summary of the Legislation:
This legislation revises the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR’s) 2005-2006 Fees and Charges Schedule, which was adopted with the 2005 Adopted and 2006 Endorsed Budgets. The revisions include an increase in staff support of facility rentals, and changes to fees and charges to Volunteer Park Conservatory revenues, Seattle Aquarium admission fees, sports use fees, permits for use of DPR facilities and parks, and permits for inspections.
· Background: DPR’s fees and charges are necessary to provide financial support for the operation and maintenance of DPR programs, facilities, and park grounds. The DPR fee structure addresses the key elements of inflation, market conditions, improved cost recovery, and sensitivity to customer acceptance of fee changes.
The revenue generated by these fees constitutes approximately 14 percent of funds required for operating and maintaining the Parks system, excluding revenues associated with the Golf Program, which are addressed in Ordinance No. 121351. All fees collected from DPR activities and concessions are used exclusively for the Parks system, except for fees related to the Joint Athletic Field Use Agreement with the Seattle Public Schools (SPS). The City schedules and collects fees for use of both City and SPS fields, retains a portion for the cost of scheduling SPS fields, and remits the balance to SPS.
DPR proposes changes to its fees and charges each year as part of the City’s budget process. The attached proposed changes to the 2006 Endorsed Budget, fees, and charges (Attachment A) provides a summary of DPR fee changes from the 2006 Endorsed Budget to the 2006 Proposed Budget. These fees are reviewed periodically to determine whether market conditions warrant increases; improve fee structures (particularly those that are no longer compatible with the implementation of the DPR CLASS scheduling system); and to establish new fees, when warranted. Improved cost recovery is a consideration when developing fee increases and implementing cost of living adjustments, consistent with the City of Seattle Department of Finance’s inflation guidelines.
DPR’s Revised 2005-2006 Proposed Fees and Charges Schedule include the following changes from the existing 2005-2006 Schedule:
Additionally, the legislation restructures and simplifies certain fees, and corrects previous misprints or omissions. These changes are identified in Attachment A to this Fiscal Note.
____ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)
___X This legislation has financial implications. (Please complete all relevant sections that follow.)
Anticipated Revenue/Reimbursement: (For budget legislation that raises fees, please provide detail on each fee that is being raised, when it was last raised, how the proposed fee compares with similar fees in the region, etc.)
See Attachment A to Fiscal Note for a complete list of changes.
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Fund Name and Number |
Department |
Revenue Source |
2006 Endorsed Revenue |
2006 Proposed Revenue |
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10200 |
DPR |
Fees and Charges1 |
$14,974,259 |
$15,218,806 |
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TOTAL |
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$14,974,259 |
$15,218,806 |
Notes: (1) The revenues here exclude revenues from Golf that are addressed in separate golf management contracts approved by Ordinances 121351 and 121669, and which total $9.3 million in the 2006 Endorsed budget and $9.1 million in the 2006 Proposed budget. The Woodland Park Zoo no longer generates revenue for the Parks and Recreation Fund. Some of the revenue increases are volume-based, as well as due to fee increases. Some revenue increases are related to assumptions associated with revenue generation at newly opened Community Centers that will employ existing fee structures beginning in 2005.
Summary of
DPR’s Revised 2005-2006
Fees and Charges Schedule
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2006 Endorsed |
2006 Proposed |
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Aquarium |
$6,546,408 |
$6,546,408 |
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Boat Ramp, Rowing and Sailing |
$291,727 |
$228,089 |
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Camp Long Cabins |
$56,167 |
$64,247 |
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Citywide Athletics-Youth and Adult |
$1,368,151 |
$1,380,319 |
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Community Centers and Other Facility Rentals |
$1,327,663 |
$1,511,495 |
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Event Scheduling-picnic, weddings, Christmas ship |
$643,629 |
$643,629 |
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Japanese Gardens |
$208,431 |
$208,431 |
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Permits and Moorages |
$535,009 |
$601,934 |
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Swimming Pools and Tennis Center |
$3,980,074 |
$3,980,254 |
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Volunteer Park Conservatory Fees |
$17,000 |
$54,000 |
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Total Fees and Charges Adopted By This Ordinance |
$14,974,259 |
$15,218,806 |
What is the financial cost of not implementing this legislation?
Not implementing this legislation as proposed would require reductions in services or programs within DPR’s 2006 proposed budget. Such reductions would impact the Department’s ability to generate revenue that is used to pay for costs associated with maintaining its facilities.
· What are the possible alternatives to the legislation that could achieve the same or similar objectives?
There are no additional funding sources that DPR staff are aware of. In adjusting its Fees and Charges Schedule, the Department has considered all known external funding resources, such as grants and other one-time funding sources.
· Is the legislation subject to public hearing requirements?
Public hearings are not required, however, this legislation will be subject to public hearings as part of the 2006 Budget process. Notices will be posted throughout the Parks system to notify users of the proposed fee schedule.
· Other Issues (including long-term implications of the legislation):
The changes contained in this proposal are part of a concerted effort on the part of DPR to improve its overall fee structure, maintain costs and, to the extent possible, increase cost recovery. DPR will continue to review its fee policies and schedules, in terms of the economy, changes in park and recreation services provided by other local jurisdictions, and other internal and external factors affecting the Department’s budget.