REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF BIG BEAR VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 12, 2026
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Introduction of Proposed Fee Ordinance for Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District for Fiscal Years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District:
1. Conduct a public hearing on proposed ordinance repealing Ordinance No. SD 25-01.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to the proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of proposed ordinance.
• An ordinance of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District to repeal Ordinance No. SD 25-01 and to establish various recreation and park activity fees for Fiscal Years 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026, on the Consent Calendar.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Fees for Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District (District) are estimated to generate approximately $2.7 million in revenue for 2026-27. These fees, along with property tax revenue, are the primary sources of funding for the District, which includes Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Appropriation and revenue related to the fees will be included in the District’s 2026-27 recommended budget and future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The District annually introduces a fee ordinance to the Board of Directors (Board) that may include fee revisions, the deletions of certain fees, and/or addition of new fees for various recreation and park services.
Beginning this year, the District proposes implementing a multi-year Board approval cycle to establish fees for 2026-27 and apply 3% annual inflationary adjustments to eligible fees for the subsequent two fiscal years, balancing oversight with administrative efficiency. The District will retain flexibility to return to the Board for off-cycle adjustments as needed and will continue prioritizing annual review of high-volume and high-impact fees to ensure service costs are appropriately recovered. The District is also recommending establishing a new fee for the Orval Warren, Ski Beach and McDill Swim Beach parking lots to allow individuals to rent spaces within the parking lots to set up vendor booths or similar setups. The District is not proposing to delete any fees for 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29.
The Department of Public Works - Special Districts ensures that the recommended fee amounts comply with Proposition 26. Proposition 26 generally requires fees not to be higher than the cost of the activity and/or service provided, unless an exception applies as provided in the proposition. The District’s fees do not provide full cost recovery as the District receives property tax revenue for recreation and park services.
On March 10, 2026 (Item No. 62), a fee workshop with the Board was conducted to discuss the 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 proposed fees. This workshop resulted in no change to the District’s recommended fee proposal.
The proposed fee ordinance will go into effect 30 days after adoption but the effective date of any new fees is July 1, 2026, following final adoption by the Board on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 3, 2026; County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5505) on March 5, 2026.