Fee Increase

San Marcos Parks and Recreation department is at a 10%* cost recovery rate. Other nearby cities are as follows: Round Rock at 28.5%; Georgetown at 24.1% and New Braunfels at 46.3%.

Goals

The goals of the increase were outlined to be:

  1. Financially Sustainable - Funding the costs of fiscally constrained operations (existing service levels) and incrementally increase the fee structure while remaining competitive;
  2. Simplify - Easy to understand and buy, appropriate to broad mixes of community members and customers; and
  3. Provide Wide Service Reach - Fees are consistent with Parks, Recreation, and Open Space master plan goals related to ensuring services are accessible to community members.

Highlights

Notable changes include:

  1. Senior Citizen Age Definition - The qualifying age for the senior citizen discount went from 50 years old to 60 years old.
  2. Removal of Categories – In an effort to simplify the structure the senior citizen spouse rate, non-profit, and business commercial rates were removed.
  3. Entry Fee Standardization – After reviewing market analysis, value of service, and financial sustainability goals, base Activity Center entry fees will increase and be a flat rate ($6 for adults and $3 for youth/senior citizens) for residents and non-residents which includes access to all amenities.
  4. Resident Membership Fee - Resident membership fees will increase by 10% for adult, 15% for senior citizens, and 48% for youth with no change for family membership.
  5. Non-Resident Membership Fee – In addition to the standardized increase to base entry fees, a 25% premium for youth membership and a 49% premium for senior citizens was approved. No change in adult or family membership fees.

To view the approved Parks and Recreation Department rate summary click here. 

Process

Summer 2018

Staff initiated a fee comparison study in which all fees (programs, entry fees, rentals) were given a rating on a scale of 1-5 based upon the level of benefit to the community as a whole with 1 being a high level of community benefit and 5 being a highly individual benefit. Consideration was also given to environmental and socioeconomic impact factors.

October 29, 2019 – Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Special Meeting

Staff presented the cost recovery initiative and proposed fee increases. The board voted to move forward with a Recommendation Resolution to Council in support of the FY20 proposed fees derived from the cost recovery fee study.

November 6, 2019 – City Council Meeting

Staff presented the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved plan.

March 17, 2020 – City Council Meeting

First reading, citizen comment

April 7, 2020 – City Council Meeting

Second reading, council voted and approved.

January 1, 2021

New fee schedule will go into effect. 

*The last fee increase of 3% was in September of 2016. The last cost recovery study took place in 2012.