North Port staff outline proposed fee schedule changes, cites phased reductions to multi-visit discounts at Warm Mineral Springs

City staff presented proposed changes to the citywide fee schedule for fiscal year 2026–27 and asked the commission for direction as the budget process continues. The changes include proposed adjustments across development services, fire rescue, parks and recreation, facility rentals, solid waste and utilities.

Sandy Funheller, parks and recreation director, said the Draft schedule implements the second year of a previously presented phased plan to reduce discounts on multi-visit Warm Mineral Springs passes. “It is not an increase to the daily admission fee. It is actually a reduction in the discount that we are giving, for multi visit passes,” Funheller said, describing the decision as following a plan shared with the commission last year.

Funheller and assistant director Trish Strz explained operational impacts for aquatic rentals and safety staffing. “If we open just a competition pool, we're talking 3 staff with a rotation on for a fourth,” Strz said, and noted that larger features like the lazy river require up to 11 staff under the facility’s emergency-action plan.

Commissioners asked for context about prior fee increases and staffing levels. Commissioner Petro requested the percentage increase history and questioned large jumps (noting a 26% rise on some pavilion/river rentals and 20% on Aquatic Center rentals). Funheller said the schedule aligns with recommendations from the Walden fee study and that some increases complete earlier phases the commission approved.

Several public commenters cautioned that rising fees could suppress attendance, urged the commission to scrutinize consultant use, and asked whether tax or fee revenue trade-offs would lower other taxes. City Manager Fletcher said staff would include the proposed fees in the budget process and return to the commission with ordinance language for first reading in June and a second reading in late June if the board wanted to proceed.

No final motion was taken at the meeting; staff requested direction before formal ordinance drafting and public hearings later in the budget calendar.