POINT...                                   

In many cases the public's attitude about paying taxes is negative, especially if their hard-earned dollars go to what is perceived as a less essential service such as parks and recreation. When fees and charges are set for programs and facilities, which are operated by public, tax supported park and recreation agencies, pricing policies should be aimed at providing leisure services at a low cost. In order to adopt this pricing strategy, the following concepts can be used.

Hiring low cost instructors

Instead of hiring high-priced instructors, try to hire less experienced program instructors who can be trained while they work at their jobs. The full-time recreation supervisor should provide instructors with an orientation and training program covering areas such as specific skills needed to run their programs, resource materials to provide them with a variety of activities for their programs, and techniques for interacting with participants. Instructors should be encouraged to attend seminars which would develop their ability to instruct their programs.

Supply and equipment costs closely monitored

Purchasing items to be used in programs should be done by competitive bidding, and acceptance of the lowest bid should be standard practice. Supervisors must always be conservative when preparing budgets for program supplies, and they must monitor exactly what is spent on items to insure that they are staying within their budget.

Fees set less than private facilities

When tax dollars are used to support a public park and recreation agency, the fees charged at special facilities such as golf courses, swimming pools and ice rinks should be less because the public pays taxes to help that special facility operate. Therefore, fees should not be as high as they are in comparable private sector facilities.

Hire instructors on contractual basis

This will provide more incentive for instructors to fill their classes and receive more income without the need to raise program fees to pay for the cost of the instructor.

The taxpayers deserve a break

This strategy can be summed up in these few words: Public park and recreation agencies need to make their programs and facilities affordable so everyone can enjoy them. By not offering programs with high-priced instructors or activities which require special supplies or equipment, we can and should provide affordable "no frills" leisure activities.

                          ...COUNTERPOINT

All park and recreation professionals are very concerned about increasing fees and charges for the various services we offer. In fact, according to Anver Suleiman, seminar presenter at the Learning Resource Network (LERN) pricing seminar, the most common mistake is underpricing our programs.

Here are some reasons why park districts should consider a more aggressive pricing and fee-setting program.

Pricing conveys an image

A very low price, to some who reside within the communities we serve, is going to indicate a lack of quality. This may not always be true, and yet, many people believe, "you get what you pay for."

More committed to attend

The fee you charge can be one factor which helps to retain people in programs or facilities. For example, if someone pays $70 a year for a fitness center membership versus $300, that person will probably be less committed to use the facility. In addition, many private health clubs charge an initiation fee to bring in more revenue and as an incentive to retain members. Once you allow your membership to lapse, you must pay the initiation fee again in order to join.

Wider range of services

The fees and charges in many park districts have allowed for the addition of many new programs and facilities.

Taxpayers asking for relief

Costs continue to go up. We want to maintain high quality services and facilities, yet we may be faced with fewer tax dollars in the future. Expecting those who use our programs and facilities to pay competitive fees is one way of taking the burden off the entire taxpaying population. The "user pays" policy helps leisure programs to break even, and in some cases, to cover a good portion of the overhead.

Higher fees for special services

Should the taxpayers subsidize our day care services, or should they be revenue producers? Many services offered by public recreation providers warrant higher fees, and we must continually review our pricing objectives and philosophies to make sure we are not charging too little in these areas.

Financial scholarships

A financial scholarship program can guarantee that the door to recreation programs and facilities is not closed to the less fortunate.