Direct and Indirect
Service Fees
Public Hearing
P&CS- Mission
The Mission of Parks & Community Services to plan, facilitate, promote, maintain, and develop activities and facilities that enhance the quality of life in the City of Merced.
This is accomplished through both direct and indirect services • Direct Services- Programs, events, services
• Indirect- operating fields, facilities, venues
In order to reduce the reliance on the general fund to cover the expenses of service, the Department employs a cost recovery model through service fees adopted by Council through
resolution.
These fees were last updated in 2023.
P&CS- Increasing Expenses
Since the most recent fee schedule was adopted in 2023, wages, materials, and maintenance expenses have increased significantly
• California minimum wage has increased about 10%.
• Operational costs for equipment, materials, and supplies have also increased at approximately 10%.
• Increased resource allocation due to vandalism have also increased costs for field and facility maintenance.
P&CS- Direct Services
While the department does its best to recruit volunteers, staff are required for all activities to ensure efficient standards of practice, safety, and quality of service.
• Contracts, Grants and Scholarships reduce cost for
participation but are not covering all expenses of department • Current cost per service hour equates to $4.00 per hour • $80 per season, 20 hours of service
• Requesting to adjust program fee to cover $5.00 per hour of service
• $100 per season, 20 hours of service
• $120 Non-Resident Fee
P&CS- Indirect Services
P&CS offers a variety of venues for sports and community activities including, fields, classrooms, outdoor stages, and indoor halls.
• The current fees associated with field and facility use cannot support internal nor contracted services to manage
recreational facilities.
• Model for field and facility rentals includes:
• Base rental fee- fee depends on venue
• Non- profit fee- 50% off rental fee
• Expensive to process and cannot control quantity
• Co-sponsored fee- Fee reduction or waived, requires Department or Council approval depending on Facility
• Most expensive to provide but easier to control with threshold (budget/time)
P&CS- Indirect Services
While these activities result in the same expense as private reservations, they are subsidized at an unaffordable rate due to the loss in revenue. 66% Loss 50% Loss 13% Loss
P&CS- Indirect Services
While these activities result in the same expense as private reservations, they are subsidized at an unaffordable rate due to the loss in revenue. 12% Loss 0% Loss 18% Loss 17% Loss
P&CS- Addition of Bob Hart Plaza
The area was expanded to include a new event venue (Plaza) with a performance stage to serve as an anchor for downtown activities, celebrations, and performances.
• Bob Hart Square in totality is the larger area between Main Street and 16th Street
• Plaza is specific area between the alley and 16th Street. • This area will be made available through the Parks & Community Services Department as with other Recreation Facilities • Any events that require use of space beyond the Plaza will require Application for use of City Real Property and would be coordinated with Planning, Public Works, and Police Department
• Would require Council approval
• Supporting the use of the new Plaza will require
implementation of ordinance and policies that limit street closures and use of other City Real Property (parking lots, public right of way, garages, etc.)
P&CS- Cost Recovery For Public
Events
Longstanding events that utilize City real Property or
require street closures include parades, festivals,
farmers markets and several others.
The costs associated with these activities and the ways to cover them are beyond the scope of this public
hearing and are not managed by Parks & Community
Services.
P&CS- Open the Public Hearing