REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF BIG BEAR VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 29, 2022
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
Introduction of Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 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 20-04 and establishing various recreation and park activity fees for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
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 2022-23 and to repeal Ordinance No. SD 20-04.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 on the Consent Calendar.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, 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 the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District (District) are estimated to generate approximately $3 million in revenue for 2022-23. 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 2022-23 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 the addition of new fees for various recreation and park services. However, there were no fee updates for 2021-22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For 2022-23, the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department) is recommending several fee changes for the District. The following is a summary of these changes:
• Meadow Park/Sugarloaf Fields - Two fees for use of the ballfields are increased from $200 to $250 and from $200 to $300, as additional revenue is needed to recover the District’s actual costs.
• Tennis Courts/Pickle Ball Courts/Meadow Park Gym Court - A new fee is established to recover lighting costs for use of these courts. The fee amount is $20.00 for two hours, per court.
• McDill Swim Beach
o General Admission:
Ø Adults (ages 13 and over) increased from $7.00 to $10.00. This fee was last revised in 2015-16.
Ø Language has been added to the Seniors (60+) fee to include Military/Veterans. These individuals will now be charged the same amount as Seniors ($5.00).
Ø Children under age 3 will be free ($1.00 previously).
o Seasonal Beach Pass:
Ø Language has been added to the Seniors (60+) fee to include Military/Veterans. These individuals will now be charged the same amount as Seniors ($95.00).
Ø Children under age 3 will be free ($25.00 previously).
o Triathlon/Competitive Events:
Ø A new fee is established to recover the cost of providing a lifeguard for these events. The fee amount is $25.00 per hour, per lifeguard.
• Big Bear Alpine Zoo
o A new fee ($25.00 per person) is established to recover the cost for Guided Docent Tours.
o The note regarding fees associated with the old zoo location has been deleted.
o Language has been added to indicate that the Regional Manager for the Department of Public Works - Special Districts may provide up to 50 free tickets annually for promotional events.
o The Military/Veterans fee has been merged with the Seniors (60+) fee since both are the same amount ($10). As such, the Military/Veterans standalone fee is being deleted.
• Filming/Photography - A new fee is established for commercial film permit. The amount of this fee will vary based on the actual cost and administrative expense. This new fee replaces three related fees that are being deleted.
• The Ranch - Fee structure for use of The Ranch facility at Erwin Lake is revised (four fees added and four fees deleted) to reflect that this facility is no longer being run as a camp. Also recommended are the following changes to the pool fees at The Ranch:
o General Admission:
Ø Fee is now $5.00 per person for all individuals ages 3 and over. The amount was previously $4.00 or $3.00 per person (two separate fees) depending on the age group. As a result of this consolidation, the 3-17 years of age and Seniors (60+) fee is being deleted. Children under age 3 will be free ($1.00 previously).
o Seasonal Pool Pass:
Ø These fees are deleted as seasonal passes are no longer being offered.
The Department 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. However, the District’s fees for non-residents do recover full costs.
On March 1, 2022 (Item No. 73), a fee workshop with the Board was conducted to discuss the 2022-23 proposed fees. This workshop resulted in no changes to the District’s recommended fee proposal.
The proposed ordinance will take effect 30 days from adoption; however, repeal of Ordinance No. SD 20-04 and establishment of the District’s 2022-23 fees will be effective July 1, 2022.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 10, 2022; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on March 11, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on March 14, 2022.