Henderson looks to phase in contested recreation fee hikes

After a resident outcry over sudden hikes in city recreation fees, Henderson has proposed phasing in the increases over the next three years.

But that would still mean large increases in some areas, and it’s not clear how much the new plan will mollify residents.

The City Council could vote on the proposal Tuesday.

A consultant hired by the city recommended raising dozens of fees, finding that Henderson’s charges are below those of other cities and don’t cover enough of the costs of providing services.

The new fees, as first proposed, were expected to raise an extra $2 million to $3 million a year.

But at a June 16 City Council meeting, nearly 20 people told the council the fees were too much, too soon.

The Boulder City Henderson youth swim club, which has more than 400 members and uses city pools, could have had to nearly double fees for some families.

Parents told the council they understood prices must rise, and they even agreed they had been getting a good deal. But they also said they worried steep increases could force some families to pull their kids out of swimming teams.

After hearing from residents, council members decided to postpone a vote and asked the staff to draw up a plan to phase in the increases.

“I don’t want to price any child out of a program, and I don’t want to price any adult out of a program,” Councilman John Marz said.

But even under the more gradual approach unveiled this week, some fees would increase quickly.

The rate for a long course pool rental would nearly double to $4 this year, double again to $8 next year and increase to $12 in 2017.

“That’s a lot. I don’t think that’s a reasonable, gradual increase,” said Suzanne Armstrong, who has two children on the BCH swim team.

After all, she said, no family’s income is going to increase that much in the next two years.

The discussion at the council meeting focused largely on swim teams, but the fee increases are nearly across the board and include arts classes, music lessons and rentals such as picnic areas and playing fields.

Under the new plan, the fees would still increase to the amounts originally proposed — but not until 2017.

Armstrong said the city’s plan for increasing revenue could backfire. If city services are no longer a good deal, she said, people might decide to start using private clubs, which offer more amenities.

“They’re going to shoot themselves in the foot,” Armstrong said.

Contact Eric Hartley at ehartley@reviewjournal.com or 702-550-9229. Find him on Twitter: @ethartley.