ADOPTED - AUGUST 25, 2009

Agenda Item No. 21

Introduced by the County Services and Finance Committees of the: 

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION RESTRUCTURING THE REVENUE COLLECTION

OF PARKS VEHICLE ENTRANCE FEES

RESOLUTION #09-263

WHEREAS, as part of the 2010 Budget process, departments were requested to submit a budget identifying significant reductions; and

WHEREAS, vehicle entrance fees are collected seven days a week, year round at Burchfield Park, while vehicle entrance fees are collected at Lake Lansing Park–South and Hawk Island Park on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays only from Memorial Day through Labor Day; and

WHEREAS, county policy provides for free entry for those individuals who determine the fee would be a hardship, and free entry passes are routinely provided to Capital Area Community Services to provide access to the county parks; and

WHEREAS, in the current economy climate it is likely more hardship passes will be requested and the sale of annual passes will rise; and

WHEREAS, having an attendant at the entrance gate provides a sense of security to park visitors and provides a safer environment for park visitors; and

WHEREAS, collecting vehicle entrance fees at all three parks seven days a week, year round at the current rates will result in an additional annual revenue amount of approximately $140,717; and

WHEREAS, the Parks & Recreation Commission will continue offering numerous complimentary recreational opportunities, such as free shelters for non-profit youth organizations, a safe swimming environment, free days at the individual parks, scholarships to Nature Day Camp, and free concerts for the residents of Ingham County; and

WHEREAS, the Parks & Recreation Commission supported the concept of a restructure of the parks vehicle entrance fee collection with the passage of Resolution #25-09 at their July 27, 2009 meeting.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners approves a restructuring of the parks vehicle entrance fee collection so that vehicle entrance fees will be collected seven days a week, year round at Burchfield Park, Lake Lansing Park–South and Hawk Island Park at the current rates listed below:

            Resident Daily - $2

            Resident Annual - $20

            Non-Resident Daily - $4

            Non-Resident Annual - $40

ADOPTED - AUGUST 25, 2009

Agenda Item No. 21

RESOLUTION #09-263

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners establishes a “Monday Free Day” each week with regard to entry fees at Burchfield Park, Lake Lansing Park-South, and Hawk Island.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners authorizes the waiver of the entrance fees at Lake Lansing Park-South one hour before and during the free Friday night concerts in the park hosted by the Ingham County Parks Bandshell Committee in order to encourage continued increases in attendance at this event.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Parks will continue its policy of waiving the vehicle entrance fee for anyone for whom the fee would be a hardship.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as a general matter, fees will not be collected in situations where it is expected the cost of collecting fees would consume over 50% of the revenue.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Controller/Administrator is directed to include the additional $140,717 in projected revenue as part of the 2010 Controller Recommended Budget.

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Celentino, Copedge, Grebner, Vickers

  Nays:        None             Absent:  Koenig, Holman          Approved 8/18/09

FINANCE:    Yeas:  Grebner, Nolan, Bahar-Cook, Tennis, Davis, Dougan

         Nays:  None            Absent:  None         Approved 8/19/09