City Council approves parks and rec fee hike

Kalispell City Council on Monday approved a slate of fee increases for the Parks and Recreation department.

The department’s budget will be stretched next year after the Flathead County landfill enacted additional fees for disposal from city parks. The department estimated the landfill fees would total approximately $9,000 over the course of the fiscal year.

The newly approved parks and recreation fees, which were raised for the second time in three years, are aimed at offsetting the landfill rate hike, department director Chad Fincher noted.

Fincher said the department did a market analysis report of their programs, comparing them to other cities to figure out how to most efficiently provide the services the community desires. He said the process was similar to the one they went through in 2016.

Other community developments, such as local schools offering more early outs, had also required additional resources for the department’s after-school programs, Fincher said. He also noted the importance of the city providing swim lessons.

The fee increases are applied fairly evenly over a large portion of the department’s offerings and most are going up only slightly. For example, in-city registration fees for an adult soccer team will go from $375 to $400, Little Dribblers will go from $30 to $31, while Spring Break Camp will go from $25 to $26.

The department will maintain some free programs, including the outdoor movie series, ice cream socials and Santa’s Calling.

Council approved the fee increases unanimously without much discussion.

Reporter Peregrine Frissell can be reached at (406) 758-4438 of pfrissell@dailyinterlake.com.