2026 Recreation Fees Updated to Support Sustainable Community Programs

City Council Approves Recreation Fee Adjustments for 2026

The Santa Rosa City Council has approved an update to the City's recreation fee schedule, with changes taking effect on January 1, 2026. These adjustments aim to improve cost recovery, support financial sustainability, and ensure continued access to high-quality recreational services for the community.

Why the Fee Adjustment Is Needed

The Recreation Division offers a wide range of fee-based services, including facility rentals, admissions, and program activities. Over the past decade, the Division has made only modest fee increases while recovering from significant disruptions such as the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the cost of providing services has risen sharply - local minimum wage increased by 98.6% and the national consumer price index rose by 36.3% between 2015 and 2025.

Currently, the Division recovers 47.8% of direct program costs and 40.3% of total Division costs through program revenue. The proposed fee adjustments are designed to increase cost recovery in a balanced way that maintains accessibility and supports sustainable service delivery.

What's Changing

The proposed fee increases vary by program type, with projected revenue growth ranging from:

10% for Sports Fees and Field Rentals

21% for Swim Center Programs and Operations

These changes reflect factors such as the timing of the last fee adjustment, current cost recovery levels, community benefit, and alignment with the Division's mission. The updated schedule also streamlines rental charges to improve operational efficiency.

Fiscal Impact

The new fee schedule is expected to generate an additional $140,000 in revenue for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 and $547,000 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, which will be deposited into the City's General Fund. These increases will help the Recreation Division continue delivering valuable services while promoting Council Goal #1: Achieve and Maintain Budgeting Excellence and Fiscal Stability.

Looking Ahead

Fee increases are just one part of a broader strategy to enhance cost recovery. The Recreation Division is also exploring ways to boost participation, improve staffing efficiencies, and identify alternative funding sources.

For more details, including a breakdown of the proposed fees, please refer the Council agenda item on the City's Legistar website.