Raleigh Parks proposes fee adjustments including 25% nonresident surcharge; board urged to weigh equity and aid

Ken Hissler, assistant director of recreation, presented the Parks Department’s annual fees and charges review and recommendations.

Hissler summarized the department’s fee philosophy—balancing cost recovery, equity and financial‑aid access—and traced the policy history to a 2016 city adoption following a GreenPlay review. He said the fees review benchmarks municipal peers and private providers where necessary.

On specifics, Hissler told the board the department recommended modest, targeted increases: athletic field rental fees would move from $40 to $45, picnic shelter fees would rise by a small amount and aquatic gate and program rates would see minor adjustments. For nonresidents, staff proposed a standard 25% surcharge applied to fees: “We’re gonna charge a flat fee of 25% for anything,” Hissler said, explaining the change would make nonresident charges proportionate across different program price points.

Hissler emphasized that the financial‑assistance program remains a central part of the policy. He said about $150,000 in scholarship aid was distributed in FY25 and staff estimate the assistance reaches more than 1,000 participants across program types; eligibility follows documentation similar to school free/reduced standards.

Board members asked how staff measure impacts and whether fee changes could reduce access; Hissler said the department will monitor bookings, monthly and yearly periods and client accounts to evaluate who is affected and adjust policy if visitation falls.

Why it matters: fee schedules affect routine costs for families and small organizations that use parks facilities and have implications for cost recovery and program access. Staff said many fees will not take effect immediately; implementation dates (for example, new boat storage fees) may be set for January 1, 2027, to avoid midseason changes for user groups.

What’s next: staff will finalize recommendations for adoption through the manager and budget process and warned that some changes require council adoption before becoming effective.