HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-X 1981-08-17 Community Services Committee R E P O R T
TO: Councillor Maurice Prout and Members
of the Community Services Committee
FROM: Thomas A. Fanning, R. D. M. R. ,
Director, Community Services Department
SUBJECT: Resolution #CS34-81 (User Pays Policy) .
DATE: August 17th, 1981
In reviewing the Deputy Dir&ctors Report "user pays"
policy, I do feel it can be implemented over a period of
time. It would be dangerous to implement the system in
1982.
The reason being that an abrupt change in policy could
wipe out programmes of a long standing tradition and defeat
our purpose of providing Culture and Recreation Services to
the Municipality.
I understand from the Deputy Director in preparing this
report, the following Municipalities are not involved in
"user pays" policy they are: Ajax, Oshawa and Pickering.
However because the Municipalities in question are not
involved', it does not mean we should follow suit.
The "user pays" policy concept is one worth considering
in certain areas, of Culture and Recreation Programming.
However some activities may suffer due to increase cost for
the participant if the "user pays" policy was established.
TAF/sg
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R E P 0 R T
TO: Thomas A. Fanning, R. D. M. R. ,
Director of Community Services
FROM: Joseph. P. Caruana, Deputy Director
Community Services Department
SUBJECT: Resolution #CS3481 (User Pays Policy)
DATE: August 17, 1981
Resolution - Moved by Con. Hamre seconded by Mayor Rickard.
"That the Director prepare a report to this committee relating
to revenue from Recreation and Culture looking at "user pays"
policy to have an effect on the 1982 budget".
Please find attached a breakdown of department programme
expenditures, revenues, registration figures, and estimated
administrative costs. Be advised that figures and _fees are
based on 1980/81 departmental statistics. At the present time,
several of our programmes are in midstream, therefore comment
on current operation is not feasible.
Also find attached various programmes where I feel special
attention should be given due to the structure of the program
as it exists or due to changes in the fee structure which are
currently underway.
JPC/sg A X401,
Corp( ';ion of the Town of Newcastle File: 106-A
fla i-mant of rnmmimi ty Services
0
--
1980/81
Administration
Costs
Cost Profit to
Municipality
User Pay fee
Totol Reg.
Program
1980 Actual j
1980 Revenue
Registration Fee
75.
759.+
7.
69
Ballet
406.
1,241.
18.
Baton & Tap
550.
391.
18.
75.
234.-
30.
21
Bowling
728.
565.
User Pay
75.
238.-
N/A
Figure Skating..
Bowmanville)
24,191.
10,657.
Beginners 50. j
750.
14,284.-
178.Average
140
Junior 60.
t
Inter. 80.
Senior 90.
E
Average 70.
Skating
Carnival
1,560. I
I
2,026. (
Adults 3.
250.
216.+
,
N/A
I
Youth 1.
Hockey
(Bowmanville)
22,783.
19 ,290.
55.
2 ,300.
5,793.-
71.50
350
lHockey 16,228.
7,185.
55.
375.
9,418.-
127.75
130
( (Newcastle Village)
Baseball
1,542.
! 1,859.
8.
1,150.
833.-
11.75
232
Softball
1,058.
1,1^4.
8.
750.
704.-
13.25
132
Playgrounds
21,439.
119.
Nil
375.
21,695.
54.50
400
Approx
Swimming
11,194.
12,745.
15.
750.
810.+
14.25
850
Figure Skating
12;784.
3,825.
Beginners 50.
550.
9,509.-
266.75
50
(Newcastle Village)
Junior 60.
Inter. 80.
Senior 90.
Average 70.
Swim Team 924.
940.
25.
150.
134.-
28.25 38
0
Attachment #2
Bowling - This programme operates out of
Acct.#7605-000-003 the Newcastle Village Hall. Fees are
assessed to participants as they play
(i.e.) Lane and shoe rentals.
Expenses for banquet, trophies, etc.
are not covered in the present charge
assessed.
Figure Skating - Expenses for this programme are
Bowmanville and will continue to be reduced.
Acct.#7605-000-005 It is my intention to have the club
operate through a volunteer executive
within 2 years. Please, note the fee
structure is staggered from Beginners
through Seniors. Ice time allocations
are as follows:
( Beginners 1 hr. per week; Juniors 2 hrs.
per week; Intermediates 5 hrs, per week
and Seniors 7 hrs, per week.
The user pay fee which is assessed on
attachment #1 is calculated on an
average, throughout the four levels.
It is my opinion that in this particular
case, if a user pay policy was enforced
the club would be priced out of business.
Playgrounds - 1981 figures show a sharp decrease in
Acct.#7605-000-010 expenditures, as we have a reduction in
the number of playgrounds provided and
related staff. Current figures are not
available to make comment on.
Swimming
Acct.#7605-000-012 - Again, these figures relate to the 1980
programme operation,, For the,imost part,
our fees have been structured this year
(1981) to accomodate increased costs for
facility rentals incorporated into the
1981 budget.
Conclusion
If a "user pay" policy was incorporated it would definitely
have a positive effect on the Community Services Budget (as per
1980 statistics) eliminating approx. $65,031.00 from the tax bill,
that is if all programmes operate on a break even basis.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 1980 - $129,606
TOTAL REVENUE 1980 - $ 64,575
DEFICIT 1980 T 65,031
However I strongly feel, that before a system of "user pay"
can be incorporated certain policies and philosophies should be
outlined.
Continued Attachment #2
Most importantly, a policy addressing programme delivery should
be established explaining council's position as to the Community
Services Deptartment's role in the municipality. Also, policy with
regards to assessing administrative costs should be determined as
the allocation of administrative costs on attachment number one are
a rough approximation, and were established without any set
guidelines as to procedure.
For the most part, it is my opinion that a "user pay" policy
can effectively be implemented for a number of existing programmes
now offered by the department none the less, the change should be
a gradual one.
On the other hand, if this policy was incorporated, I feel it
would have serious detrimental effects on several other programmes
presently being offered by the Community Services Department.
I trust the information is adequate and as requested.
Joseph P. Caruana, Deputy Director,
Community Services Department
JPC/sg
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