Clovis commission votes to lower city park fees

Clovis’ city commission voted unanimously Thursday to lower fees at city parks.

The action came at a regular session of the commission, reducing a $50 a year fee plan for anyone using the city sports fields or facilities, approved last month but not yet implemented.

The $50 plan 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 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 now, to waive fees for people using the facility.

After Thursday’s commission meeting, Howalt said money collected from the fees will go into a “special revenues account.”

“We will have to look at the funds every year,” Howalt said. “Then we’ll decide what we’ll do with the funds.”

Howalt said a number of area residents have offered suggestions as to what needs improvement at city parks and facilities.

“We’ve had requests for improved lighting, added lighting,” Howalt said. “People want fencing replaced, things like that.”

While the Feb. 21 parks and recreation committee meeting drew about 100 people, when the vote came on the matter at city commission there were 10 people in the audience.

In other commission business, Farley Vener, president of the accounting firm of Hinkle + Landers of Albuquerque, gave a report to commissioners via phone link on the city’s annual audit. Clovis received highest marks of approval in the audit according to Vener.

Jessica Boisseau-Hays told commissioners about fundraising efforts for a bigger enclosure for Sooner, the Hillcrest Park Zoo’s tiger.

The fundraisers were two recent social events that brought in $6,000 for the effort. Boisseau-Hays looks to have another fundraiser for the zoo in June.