City commission planning to reconsider park fees

Clovis city commission will consider changing fees for parks usage at their regular meeting at 5:15 p.m., Thursday in the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library at Seventh and Main Street.

According to documents in the meeting’s agenda packet, the new fee structure, implementation of an annual membership of $50 for anyone using the city sports fields or facilities, resulted in widespread citizen feedback.

City Manager Justin Howalt, Parks and Recreation Director Russell Hooper as well commissioners and others in the city administration fielded calls, emails and other types of feedback over the new fee.

The Parks, Recreation & Beautification Committee met on Feb. 13 and Feb. 21 in special meetings regarding changes to the league user fees.

After hearing input from the community, the committee voted 9 to 1 to amend their original recommendation from $50 to $5 for youth, per sport, per season and $10 for adults, per sport, per season with no fee charged for coaches.

It was further recommended that these rates increase by 50 cents per year for the next 5 years for youth and by $1 per year for the next 5 years for adults.

The vote included not implementing fees at Roy Walker Gym at this time but to require waivers for people utilizing the facility.

The committee’s recommendations will be considered by city commission at Thursday’s meeting.