Hermosa Beach panel approves $3,150 annual fee for after‑school care to reach cost recovery

The Hermosa Beach Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission voted 5‑0 on June 2 to raise the annual fee for the city’s Park After‑School Program from about $1,900 to $3,150.

Nick Shadik, recreation coordinator and director of the after‑school program, told commissioners the program has not increased fees since 2015 and that staffing, supply and operational costs have climbed sharply. “Based on current operating costs, enrollment levels, and regional market comparisons, staff recommends increasing the annual fee to $3,150 for the school year,” he said, noting that 45 spaces for the upcoming fall had already been spoken for and that an interest list continues to grow.

Shadik said the proposed rate at an enrollment of 45 participants projects annual program revenue of approximately $141,750 against estimated annual operating costs of about $137,500, allowing the program to achieve full cost recovery without an ongoing city subsidy. He told the commission the department will continue to run market comparisons and maintain program cost‑recovery sheets to refine rates.

Commissioners pressed staff on affordability protections and program assumptions. Commissioner Warner asked whether the fee included a sibling discount; staff said there was no sibling discount in the proposal. Several commissioners urged staff to build a scholarship or waiver policy tied to household income, and to consider phasing future fee increases to avoid abrupt budget shocks for families.

Alan Joffrey, a resident who testified during public comment, said he supported cost recovery and urged the city to apply consistent cost‑recovery practices across programs. “We are in a fiscal crunch and everyone is going to have to start paying more without expecting any more in return,” he said.

The commission’s motion to approve the fee increase passed unanimously. Staff said the program’s fee can be paid in installments across the school year and that the department will continue its market analyses and prepare program cost‑recovery documentation for future budgets.

Next steps: The commission will forward the recommendation to city council for final adoption and staff will return with implementation details, including scholarship procedures and an updated program cost‑recovery worksheet.