Board approves pilot authority for parking fees at community park after debate

The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors voted to amend chapter 19.12 to authorize the parks department to charge parking fees for special events at the community park after extended debate and a recorded vote of 25 in favor and 7 opposed.

The ordinance, described in the packet as amending special-event fees, was discussed at length by supervisors and members of the public. Tim Moore, representing Oshkosh Youth Soccer Club and United Soccer, told the board both clubs supported a parking-fee option for tournaments and said clubs might collect the fee as a donation during events: “Both of our clubs see this as an an excellent opportunity for the partnership that has continued to grow with the parks department at Winnebago County,” he said.

Opponents raised equity concerns. Supervisor Dowling reported surveying more than 70 constituents; many told her they oppose adding a parking fee at a site they already fund through property taxes, calling it “double taxation.” She said she offered a $5-per-car cap but remained opposed.

Proponents, including Supervisor Nelson and Supervisor Buck, argued the fee would primarily affect out-of-county visitors at large tournaments and that revenue would be reinvested in park maintenance and fields. Nelson noted the parks committee approved the idea 4–1 and that pilot testing with soccer and rugby events was planned for 2026 to evaluate administration and impact.

Supervisors asked operational questions: whether county residents could be exempted, how volunteers would handle collection, and whether the policy would apply to events at the fairgrounds across the street (the ordinance expressly referenced the community park, not the fairgrounds). The parks director will test the program working with United Soccer and possibly the Oshkosh Rugby Club and report results to the parks commission at the end of 2026. A subcommittee could be formed in 2027 if the pilot is successful.

The ordinance as presented authorizes the parks director and county executive to work with user groups to administer fees rather than automatically charging every visitor; the initial pilot contemplates a voluntary approach integrated into event rentals or tournament structures. After a motion and machine vote, the board recorded passage 25–7.

What’s next: The parks director will administer a 2026 pilot with user groups, report findings to the parks commission in 2027, and the board may revisit exemptions or administration processes depending on the pilot outcome.