TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE May 6, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Anne Mannes, Recreation and Community Services Manager SUBJECT Receive Fairfax Department of Recreation and Community Services Quarterly Financial January - March report
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the Town Council receive and file the RCS Department Q1 Report for FY 2025-26
SUMMARY
The Q1 Report for FY 2025-26 covers the period from January 1 – March 31, 2026, detailing key programs, accomplishments, data and goals.
BACKGROUND
The Recreation and Community Services (RCS) Department serves the Fairfax community by offering programs, events, and facility rentals for all age groups. Revenue is generated through a mix of fee-forservice programs, suggested donations, facility rentals, fundraising, and support from Measure A (Parks) and Measure F (Youth and Senior Programs).
During Q1, the RCS Manager focused on preparing for the spring and summer seasons, including scheduling, staffing, and updating the ActiveNet registration system and town’s website. Promotional efforts are ongoing and included the Spring and Summer 2026 Activity Guide, community outreach, newsletters, and the development of marketing materials.
In February, we launched the Mud Bus grant program as part of the grant we received from the County of Marin Grants and Investment Program (CGIP), which provides free ceramics classes led by our Artist in Residence, Sharon Virtue. These classes are being held at the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center (25 participants) and with Age Friendly Fairfax at the Bennett House (25 participants) through early April.
Both offerings sold out within a week of being promoted.
Due to the positive response to the Mud Bus program, the RCS Manager submitted an additional grant request for $10,000 to continue the program. If awarded, this funding would allow us to expand free and accessible ceramics programming to low-income and high-need communities within Fairfax. The Marin Cultural Association (MCA) grant program opened in January with a deadline of February 27, 2026. We expect to learn whether we have been awarded this grant in June 2026.
The Pavilion continues to be a popular after-school and evening destination during the rainy season.
During Q1, we welcomed several sports groups, including an expanded rental agreement with Ross Valley Breakers to include Saturday use. We also hosted birthday parties and private events, generating additional rental income.
Several successful events took place throughout Q1, including:
• On February 10, we partnered with Wayfinder Bookstore to host a book talk with well-known UK author Martin Shaw, featuring his new book Liturgies of the Wild. Due to high demand, we added a second session, and both sessions sold out, welcoming approximately 200 attendees. • On February 28, the first Annual Soup Walk took place as a collaboration between RCS and the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Anne and Maria worked closely with the Chamber to develop and implement the event. The concept was inspired by a similar event held each February in Sausalito, which Anne and Maria attended last year for research and planning. After presenting the idea to Minna Kim of the Chamber, the event was launched in Fairfax on February 28. The Soup Walk was a great success, with tickets selling out well in advance. Additional ticket opportunities were added to help meet the high demand.
Additionally:
• Staff worked with the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce to plan road closures for block parties and holiday events scheduled for 2026.
In March, the RCS department attended the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) Conference held at the Long Beach Convention Center. Staff participated in sessions focused on increasing and improving community impact and had opportunities to connect with recreation professionals from across California, including colleagues from neighboring communities. Some of the sessions staff attended were:
• Adventure Playgrounds: The Importance of Risky Play
• Is Your Park Recreationally Accessible?
• Director Power Hour: Connecting Directors Across California to Lead and Advocate Together • Beyond the Budget Gauntlet: Assembling Revenue Strategies like Infinity Stones • From “I do” to “We do”: Fostering Partnerships and Implementation At the March 4 Town Council meeting, we recognized Maria Baird for her 20 years of public service to the Town of Fairfax.
During Q1, staff also collaborated on the FY 2026–27 budget, including the development of the RCS FY 2025–26 Impact Review reel, which can be viewed here:
Additionally, during this quarter, Community Events Coordinator (Maria) focused on operational transitions, event coordination, and regional collaboration. Key activities included:
• Coordinated the packing and relocation of all office equipment and supplies to temporary office space at 21 Park Road.
• Supported Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) actions, including approval of an Electrification Fair sponsorship (March 14, Women’s Club), a menorah lighting ceremony (December 10, 2026, Bolinas Park), and a summer music concert by Torpedo Wharf (June 20). • Hosted a Marin County event planners meeting on February 11 at the Women’s Club and facilitated ongoing collaboration with regional partners. • Participated in Fairfax Festival planning, including attending two committee meetings and serving on the food vendors subcommittee.
• Assisted with community events, including preparation for the Egg Hunt and coordination of the Soup Walk on February 28 in partnership with Town staff and the Chamber of Commerce. • Organized and hosted a Disaster Council meeting on January 28.
Q1 revenue remained the same compared to the same period last year. Q1 participation numbers increased approximately 16% compared to the same period last year.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENT
January to March Reports 2026
Revenue Breakdown January February March 2026 FX REC
Hrs Date/Month FX Residents Non Residents Total Participants Total CLASSES - fee for service
Nature Playgroup 0 cancelled $0
Ballfax Youth Rec Club 48 January - March 5 4 9 $2,180
Family Days w GFS 6 January - March 5 5 10 $310
ADULT programs - fee for service
Chi Gong 12 January - March 10 4 14 $1,755
Adult Basketball 8 January - March 4 6 10 $185
PARTNERSHIP/RENTAL PROGRAMS
Soup Walk with Chamber 4 February 200 $1,418
Wayfinder Book Talk with Martin Shaw (2) 4 February 200 $1,200 Ross Valley Breakers (expanded) 240 January - March 120 $13,256 CYO, Futsal, other 20 January - March 40 $660
Party Rentals /Other 55 Jan - March 1000 $3,025
DONATIONS
Age Friendly Yoga Kelly class January - March $3,235
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE/PARC
Fairfax Photo Club 2 January 5 13 18
2 February 6 10 16
2 March 8 14 22
Mud Bus Ceramics - FSACC 16 Feb and March 25 25 Grant
Mud Bus Ceramics - Bennett House 16 Feb and March 25 25 Grant
FREE RESOURCES
New Parents + 0-3 FX Resident Non Resident Total Participants
1.5 January 8 16 24
1.5 February 8 16 24
1.5 March 8 16 24
Ross Valley Senior Luncheon 2 January 50
2 February 50
2 March 40
Chair and Mat Yoga
Mat Yoga/Jan 13.75 Jan 26 2 28
Chair Yoga/Jan 11 Jan 2 2 4
Mat Yoga/Feb 15 Feb 23
2 25
Chair Yoga/Feb 12 Feb 32
5 Mat Yoga/March 16.25 March 282 30
Chair Yoga/March 13 March 42
6 Hours FX Resident Non Resident Total Participants Total Revenue 526.5 203 116 2019 $27,224
Town of Fairfax
Recreation & Community Services
Quarterly Financial Report - Camps, Classes, Events
1 Q Jan Feb March 2026
3rdQ 25 4thQ 25 1stQ 26 2ndQ 26 TOTAL
Revenue
Camp fees * $ 32,560.00 $ 360.00 $ 32,920.00
Classes * 10,120.00 8,742.00 $ 4,430.00 23,292.00
Partnership & Facility Rentals 2,505.00 4,101.00 16,534.00 23,140.00 Birthday Party Rentals 330.00 1,815.00 3,025.00 5,170.00 Donations and Fundraising 20,047.00 3,235.00 23,282.00
Total Revenues 45,515.00 35,065.00 27,224.00 107,804.00 Expenses
Personnel
RCS Staff 23,632.00 24,870.62 22,421.06 70,923.69
AIR Collaborative Stipends -
Camp Leader -
Counselor -
Counselor in Training (CIT) 600.00 600.00
Skate Camp -
Art and Nature 4,550.00 4,550.00
Playwell Legos Camp 4,732.00 4,732.00
Soccer Camp 6,450.00 6,450.00
Ballfax Camps 7,935.00 7,935.00
Toddler Music -
Age Friendly Yoga 5,130.00 4,725.00 4,860.00 14,715.00
Nurture Circle 3,535.00 3,535.00
Outdoor Yoga -
New Parents and Babies 540.00 600.00 720.00 1,860.00
Chi Gong 1,484.00 1,124.00 1,228.00 3,836.00
Full Body Fitness -
Dodgeball Nights -
Tot's Open Gym -
Ballfax Sports Club/Adult Basketball 3,291.00 1,620.00 4,911.00 Family Days/Misc/Other 900.00 300.00 300.00 1,500.00
Teen Open Mic/Programs -
Total Personnel 59,488.00 34,910.62 31,149.06 125,547.69 Materials and Supplies
Art Supplies & Other 2,807.00 565.81 1,440.00 4,812.81
Event and Activity Costs 250.00 1,083.00 278.00 1,611.00 Camp t-shirts/other costs 2,385.00 350.00 2,735.00
Miscellanous 3,358.00 3,358.00
Active Net Fees (6.25%) * 2,667.00 568.88 276.88 3,512.75 Total Materials & Supplies 8,109.00 2,217.69 5,702.88 16,029.56 Total Expenses 67,597.00 37,128.31 36,851.94 141,577.25 Net Revenues over Expenditures (22,082.00) (2,063.31) (9,627.94) (33,773.25)