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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 RecDeptFeeAssistPrgm ~1 . . CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 8, 1993 SUBJECT : Recreation Department Fee Assistance Program Report by Diane Lowart, Recreation Director EXHIBITS ATTACHED : None RECOMMENDATION n ~ \Jl; . FINANCIAL STATEMENT : 1) Approve Fee Assistance Program 2) Authorize staff to solicit funding None DESCRIPTION : At the March 22, 1993 meeting of the Dublin city Council, the Council receIved a report from the city Manager identifying various revenue raising options available to the city to offset anticipated revenue shortfalls. One of the options identified by the city Manager, and approved by the city council, was to increase Recreation Fees. BACKGROUND At the May 10, 1993 meeting of the Dublin City council, the Council reviewed proposed fee increases for recreation programs and adopted Resolution 50-93 Establishing A Policy For The Development Of Recreation Program Fees And Charges. Although the council supported the proposed fee increases, there was concern that increased fees may exclude some people from participating in recreation programs. Thus, Staff was directed to develop a scholarship or fee assistance program and determine a method of funding the program without the use of City funds. PROPOSED PROGRAM In developing a fee assistance program, staff s~oke with several cities who have fee assistance programs and, ~n addition, took advantage of survey information compiled by other sources. Staff found that there are a number of cities in the Bay Area which have fee assistance programs, however, the programs offered are varied and few have formal guidelines established. The percentage of subsidies varies from 50 100% and the funding for the program comes from a variety of sources including grants, private donations from individuals, non-profit organizations and businesses, and in a few cases, from the cities general fund. The Parks and Recreation Commission considered the fee assistance program at several meetings of the commission. Based on the information provided by staff, the Commission developed the following program guidelines for consideration by the city Council. 1. The program will be limited to DUblin residents. 2. The program will be funded through contributions received from local non-profit organizations, private and business donations, and grants. No city funds will be used. 3. The program will be applicable for all Recreation Department programs and activities with the exception of Adult Sports programs and Senior Meals program. 4. Fee assistance will be granted for up to 75% of the program cost. 5. Funding requests will be limited to $200 per person per fiscal year. 6. Applicants must meet the HUD income guidelines for low and moderate income families. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ITEM NO~ COPIES TO: Parks and Recreation commission CITY CLERK FILE ~ .".....~. , " " . . 7. 8. Applicants must apply in writing on forms To insure applicant privacy, applications be approved by the Recreation Director representative. The program will be evaluated annually to meets its goals and is funded adequately. provided by the city. for fee assistance will or his/her authorized insure that the program 9. DISCUSSION As directed by the city Council and recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, no city funds will be used for the program. Staff intends to solicit funding for the program from local non-profit organizations, service clubs and businesses. The proqram would not be pUblicized nor would funds be dispersed until such t~me that adequate funding was available. Funds would be dispersed on a quarterly basis to coincide with the publication of the Schedule of Recreation Classes and Programs distributed four times per year by the Recreation Department. In order to be eligible for the program, potential applicants would complete an ap~lication and indicate annual family income, sources of income and fam~ly size. The HUD income limits for low and moderate income families would be used as criteria for determining eligibility. The current income limits are as follows: 1 - $18,350; 2 - $20,950; 3 - $23,600; 4 - 26,200; 5 - $28,300; 6 - $30,400; 7 - $32,500; and 8 - $34,600. To insure that funds are not exhausted by only a few applications, and to eliminate the possibility of someone taking advantage of the program, funding would be limited to $200 per person annually and funding would be granted for up to 75% of the program cost. RECOMMENDATION Until recently, Dublin residents were fortunate in that there were a wide variety of recreation programs and activities sponsored by the city for little or no cost. However, in response to declining revenues and, as a result of the property tax shift from cities and counties to the state, the city is no longer in the position to subsidize recreation programs to the extent that was previously done. Although programs and activities sponsored by the City's Recreation Department are often considered inexpensive when compared to private entities, the cost may prohibit some residents from participating. In order to enable the residents of Dublin the opportunity to participate in recreation programs regardless of economic status, staff recommends that the city Council approve the Fee Assistance Program as outlined above. In addition, it is recommended that the Staff be authorized to solicit funding for the program from local non-profit organizations, service clubs and businesses.