Recreation and Parks Fees Assessment
Introduction
How do you think the City of Vernon should set user fees for Recreation and Parks facilities, programs, and services?
The Recreation and Parks fee structure is under review, and the City is inviting the public and interested parties to provide input.
Background
The need for a review of the fees and charges was identified in the 2018 Recreation Master Plan as a medium term and medium priority. Recreation and Parks services in the City of Vernon and through GVRS are paid for by a combination of individual and group user fees and charges and tax support. Finding an appropriate balance between the two requires a comprehensive understanding of how much it costs to provide services, coupled with a clear and consistent rationale for setting fees and charges, and applying appropriate subsidy levels.
Like many municipalities, Vernon’s fees process is without an explicit framework for establishing the fees. Currently, fee increases are based on:
- CPI, August to August
- Staff wages
- Utilities, insurance, carbon tax
- Neighbouring communities’ fees
“The goal of the fee assessment is to determine appropriate fee levels for facility rentals and usage, as well as identifying a clear, consistent and predictable way for setting fees and charges moving forward.”
Defining and implementing a formal structured approach to setting fees and charges for recreation is a great way to ensure that user fees are set upon a solid foundation, are logical and equitable, and can be justifiably explained. It also guides how to price new programs, facilities, and services, and to put in place a process to regularly monitor operating costs, utilization rates, and customers’ ability to pay.
The completion of the Recreation and Parks Fees Assessment is to align with the budget process in August 2023 to set rates for 2024.
How to have your say
Option 1: Complete the survey below and share your feedback with us regarding recreation and parks user fees. The survey is open until May 19, 2023.
Option 2: Attend one of the in-person engagement opportunities taking place April 20 - 22 to discuss the fees assessment with one of the project consultants or a Recreation Services staff member. Hard copies of the survey will also be available at those events. (see schedule and locations in the 'key dates' section on the right side of this webpage)
Thank you for your participation in this review process.
