REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF BIG BEAR VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 25, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Director of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Introduction of Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Fee Ordinance for Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District
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 24-01 and establishing various recreation and park activity fees for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to the proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of proposed ordinance.
• An ordinance of Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District to establish various recreation and park activity fees for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and to repeal Ordinance No. SD 24-01.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025, 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 $2.6 million in revenue for 2025-26. These fees, along with property tax revenue, are the primary sources of funding for the District, which includes the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Appropriation and revenue related to the fees will be included in the District’s 2025-26 recommended budget.
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.
For 2025-26, the District is recommending an increase to certain fees for the Senior Center, Miller Park Community Center, McDill Swim Beach and The Ranch Pool due to an increase in productive hourly rates for classifications and/or due to the increase in materials or utility costs associated with providing these services. In addition, admission fees for the Big Bear Alpine Zoo are recommended to increase by $1.00 for each Adult, Youth, Military/Veterans and Seniors category as it is needed to keep up with increased staffing and maintenance costs. The Local Use Football-Soccer Games at Meadow Park/Sugarloaf Fields fee was changed to Football Games only and a separate new fee category for Soccer Games was added. The fee was split into separate fees to reflect the cost difference in paint and preparation between the two sports. Lastly, a new fee was added for the rental of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo facility.
The District 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 for residents do not provide full cost recovery as the District receives property tax revenue for recreation and park services. The fees charged to non-residents achieve full cost recovery for the activities and/or services provided.
On March 11, 2025 (Item No. 53), a fee workshop with the Board was conducted to discuss the 2025-26 proposed fees. The Board provided feedback and direction on the proposed changes to the fees. As a result, the District’s fee ordinance is updated to include admission and entrance fees at no charge for a County Resident who is a veteran, active-duty personnel in the United States Armed Services, National Guard member, or reservist, on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
The proposed fee ordinance will take effect on July 1, 2025, following final adoption by the Board on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 3, 2025; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, and Amanda Trussell, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-5423) on March 5, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on March 12, 2025.