Council considers pool fee hikes
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- It could cost more to take the plunge in Sioux City swimming pools this summer.
While the temperature outside was below zero Tuesday night, the council debated warm weather activities in reviewing the parks and recreation division's proposed 2009 operating budget. The budget calls for a 50-cent increase in daily admissions to Cook, Leeds, Leif Erikson, Lewis and Riverside pools. It would cost $5 more to take swimming lessons.
"Fee increases will recover 40 percent of the wage increase" caused by hikes in the minimum wage, Terry Hoffman, division manager, said.
The federally mandated minimum wage went up from $5.25 to $6.15 an hour in fiscal year 2008 and will rise to $7.25 in fiscal year 2009. The higher lifeguards' salaries will increase the budget by $100,000.
If the council approves the budget, the daily admission fee at the Riverside Aquatic Center will cost $4.25 for adults and $3.50 for children. It will cost adults $3.50 and children $2.25 to swim at the other four pools.
"Do we have a family admission rate?" Councilman Jim Rixner asked.
Geoff Hubbard, recreation superintendent, said the city offers coupon books containing 25 or 50 passes, at a reduced charge. He said it would be difficult to offer a family pass book given that some families only have one or two children and others have six or more.
More people went swimming at Riverside, mainly because it has more amenities, Hoffman noted. Riverside generated $118,000 in revenues last year. Leif brought in $83,000, Lewis brought in $58,000, Cook produced $44,000 and Leeds about $40,000.
"If we had another one on the other side of town, would those numbers be similar?" Councilman Dave Ferris asked.
Hoffman said it probably would. Three pools -- Cook, Leeds and Lewis -- are 30 years old and nearing the end of their life cycles. No money for a replacement pool has been budgeted in the next five years. A committee is reviewing the city's pool system and will make recommendations by fall.
Regarding the Long Lines Family Rec Center budget, Councilman Brent Hoffman said, "I'd like to see the subsidy level go down, as you all know."
For fiscal year 2009, Terry Hoffman proposed a $520,804 budget, which will include $195,800 in revenues, requiring a city subsidy of $325,004. This year, the city will need $330,653 in subsidies. He cited increased costs to the minimum wage hike, insurance, utilities and high equipment replacement costs. He said he doesn't plan to fill a vacant maintenance worker position.
Rixner stated, "This $300,000 gap we've seen the last four years isn't going to go away. Somehow we have to figure out what revenue enhancements we can use or find cost reductions. I don't think it was ever meant to be self-supporting."
Councilman Aaron Rochester asked if the city could reduce staff by installing more automatic rope lines at the climbing wall, instead of having the belay lines requiring a trained person on the ground. Hoffman said many of the skilled climbers want to use the belay lines, which provide a greater challenge.
Councilman Hoffman suggested the staff consider raising user fees.
While the temperature outside was below zero Tuesday night, the council debated warm weather activities in reviewing the parks and recreation division's proposed 2009 operating budget. The budget calls for a 50-cent increase in daily admissions to Cook, Leeds, Leif Erikson, Lewis and Riverside pools. It would cost $5 more to take swimming lessons.
"Fee increases will recover 40 percent of the wage increase" caused by hikes in the minimum wage, Terry Hoffman, division manager, said.
The federally mandated minimum wage went up from $5.25 to $6.15 an hour in fiscal year 2008 and will rise to $7.25 in fiscal year 2009. The higher lifeguards' salaries will increase the budget by $100,000.
If the council approves the budget, the daily admission fee at the Riverside Aquatic Center will cost $4.25 for adults and $3.50 for children. It will cost adults $3.50 and children $2.25 to swim at the other four pools.
"Do we have a family admission rate?" Councilman Jim Rixner asked.
Geoff Hubbard, recreation superintendent, said the city offers coupon books containing 25 or 50 passes, at a reduced charge. He said it would be difficult to offer a family pass book given that some families only have one or two children and others have six or more.
More people went swimming at Riverside, mainly because it has more amenities, Hoffman noted. Riverside generated $118,000 in revenues last year. Leif brought in $83,000, Lewis brought in $58,000, Cook produced $44,000 and Leeds about $40,000.
"If we had another one on the other side of town, would those numbers be similar?" Councilman Dave Ferris asked.
Hoffman said it probably would. Three pools -- Cook, Leeds and Lewis -- are 30 years old and nearing the end of their life cycles. No money for a replacement pool has been budgeted in the next five years. A committee is reviewing the city's pool system and will make recommendations by fall.
Regarding the Long Lines Family Rec Center budget, Councilman Brent Hoffman said, "I'd like to see the subsidy level go down, as you all know."
For fiscal year 2009, Terry Hoffman proposed a $520,804 budget, which will include $195,800 in revenues, requiring a city subsidy of $325,004. This year, the city will need $330,653 in subsidies. He cited increased costs to the minimum wage hike, insurance, utilities and high equipment replacement costs. He said he doesn't plan to fill a vacant maintenance worker position.
Rixner stated, "This $300,000 gap we've seen the last four years isn't going to go away. Somehow we have to figure out what revenue enhancements we can use or find cost reductions. I don't think it was ever meant to be self-supporting."
Councilman Aaron Rochester asked if the city could reduce staff by installing more automatic rope lines at the climbing wall, instead of having the belay lines requiring a trained person on the ground. Hoffman said many of the skilled climbers want to use the belay lines, which provide a greater challenge.
Councilman Hoffman suggested the staff consider raising user fees.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 2 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
a mom wrote on Feb 21, 2008 5:22 PM:
Michele wrote on Feb 21, 2008 6:35 AM:
but hey, this IS the Sioux City Council increasing prices. imagine that. "