Numbitics

Our first issue is the proposal by the City of Davis to raise league fees to an unheard of maximum of over $500 for a 9 game season. Our resident sage, JT, replies:

Unfair Fee Hike

The following letter was provided to the city council:

This letter is to request that you deal fairly in collecting your recreational fees to pay for maintenance of city recreational facilities, rather than unfairly singling out adult recreational softball for large increases in user fees.

Just as you believe water meters distribute the costs of water fairly to those that use it, the maintenance costs of recreation facilities are not being equally distributed to those that use them in the city. Clearly, adult softball is being targeted to carry an unequal and unfair share of those costs.

Currently, youth soccer, hardball, basketball, gymnastics, softball, swimming, and tennis programs, just to name a few, do not pay any of the facility costs associated with their play. Meanwhile, adult softball does pay a portion of their facilities fees, has in the past, and now is being targeted to pay even more. This is not fair, reasonable, or equitable.

Understandably, adult softball is an easy group to target: They are slow moving, pay directly (rather than through parental filters), aren't generally militant like most youth sports groups in town, and are usually busy enough with other concerns where they just want to play rather than hassle with the city. However, there is a strong possibility that a number of teams will drop out of Davis leagues due to your increases, choosing to play in local area programs that are less expensive, thereby offsetting any increase in revenue from additional fees. It makes more sense to collect a small increase from all facility users.

All we seek is parity. We like our program, facilities and staff. If you find you need to collect additional fees to maintain recreational facilities, collect the same incremental fees from all facility users, rather than attacking a cash cow in the guise of adult softball.

Jason Tyburczy
Davis

Interested parties are urged to contact the City Council and voice your opinion.
Here are the e-mail addresses for the Dvais City Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem:

Lois Wolk - Mayor     lgwolk@dcn.davis.ca.us
Julie Partanski - Pro-Tem    jpartans@dcn.davis.ca.us

UPDATE: The City of Davis implemented the fee rate hike by a unanimous vote, 5-0 on Wedenesday, May 6th. The fees will be increased yearly by 12%. Those attending the meeting were dismayed by the council's lack of interest in what the players had to say.