FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) – Discussion continued during the June 18 Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors meeting about proposed fees for new electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces in the historic Fair Oaks Village. 

The board consensus at the last meeting was that a range of 0.25-0.30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) was a reasonable fee for vehicle charging. However, some board members said the initially proposed idle fee range ($2 to $5 per hour, imposed 15 minutes after a full charge is reached) was too low and would not encourage enough turnover of the spaces. Instead, an idle charge of 0.50 cents per minute was proposed, similar to other charging stations in the region. 

District Administrator Mike Aho said that parking in the Village is very limited, so the EV charging stations will be beneficial because they encourage EV drivers to come to the Village while leaving more spaces open to other visitors. 

Aho said the intent “is to promote business activity in the Village.” The EV drivers would have an incentive to use the charging space while attending a show at the new Performing Arts Center and also visiting restaurants and shops in the Village. 

Estimating three and a half hours for dinner and a show, Aho said the staff proposed idle fee of $2 per hour had a potential customer cost of $9.50. At 0.50 cents per minute, the customer could pay $58.50. “Obviously a substantial difference.” 

If an EV driver has to move their vehicle in the middle of a show to avoid the high charges, Aho said they might have a very hard time finding another available parking space, because the regular spaces will likely be filled during shows and events. So, to avoid that inconvenience, EV drivers might just choose a regular space from the beginning, potentially leaving the EV stations empty. 

Speaking as an EV driver, Director Raymond James Irwin said that high charges like that would be “a rarity,” since it takes a long time to reach a full charge. 

The district is getting ready to update the fee schedule, and the EV station fees need to be included in that public hearing for final board approval. Aho said that by including a range for the EV stations, the board will have the discretion to change the fees anytime within that range. 

Director Ralph Carhart said, “These are community chargers. I’d rather go on the lower end of the scale.”

The board consensus was that the charging range should be 0.25-0.30 per kWh, with an idle fee range of 0.50 cents to $1 per minute. 

Aho also updated the board about negotiations with Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee (FOVEC) for use of the AT&T parking lot during district events. The goal is to reach an agreement for 30 to 40 parking spaces that park visitors could pay to reserve when attending events or renting district facilities. 

The Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee and the district had not yet come to an agreement on terms and price but Aho said negotiations are ongoing.  

Staff presented the fiscal year 2025-2026 preliminary budget for board review. For the district’s General Fund, expenditures are estimated at $4.38 million. Included in the expenditures are salaries and benefits, which are projected to increase by 10% this year due to new positions, increased hours for new programming and cost of living increases.

Other significant expenses include services and supplies, which will see a 41% increase due to the new Arts and Entertainment Department as well as expanded programming in the improved Village facilities opening this summer. The new facilities will also have additional maintenance costs, and there are some deferred repairs necessary on other existing district facilities.  

Expected revenues for this fiscal year are $4.39 million. Much of the revenue comes from property taxes (which is expected to have a 5% increase), assessment district taxes, and charges for services. New revenue from arts and entertainment at the Performing Arts Center is projected at $650,000. 

In total, there is a projected revenue increase of $897,000 for Fscal Year 2025-2026. Director Carhart said, “We’re relying a lot on our programs and rentals when we open up.” 

Current fund balances across all accounts, including restricted funds, are $3.9 million. Of that total, the reserve fund has $516,000 and carry-forward funds (which is funding not expended last year) are $782,000. The rest is in restricted funds, such as impact fees and assessment districts for landscaping and lighting. 

Staff also requested approval to shift the park supervisor position from hourly to exempt. The change would not have a significant impact on the overall salary cost to the district, but would allow for a more flexible schedule so the employee could work at evening and weekend events without incurring overtime pay.  

Chair Delinda Tamagni advised that the board’s finance sub-committee, including she and Director Irwin, usually meets twice a year. But with the new facilities opening, both revenues and expenses will be more uncertain, so they will be meet quarterly. 

The board voted to approve the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The board members also looked at the 2025-2026 preliminary budget for the Bond Fund 341C, which holds the Measure J funding. As the Village improvement project is now in its final stages, this budget includes the last of the Measure J expenses. 

The remaining bond funds total almost $3.5 million but there are still $4.9 million in expenses for the Village project. Other revenues in the bond budget include several grants that total $660,914, which will be used to cover expenses. 

However, there is a $761,223 shortfall in funds, due to the loss of a Senate Appropriations grant of $1.4 million. That funding was awarded to the district under the Biden administration but was rescinded by the Trump administration. 

The district has reapplied for the funding, but in the meantime, staff recommend covering the shortfall by using Impact Fees, which can later be reimbursed if the grant award is received. 

The board approved the 2025-2026 budget for the bond funds. 

Aho thanked the board for their fiscal responsibility, saying “It has helped us stay as healthy as possible through these trying times. And I’m hoping through all the hard work that you’re doing and the staff is doing that we continue this progress of being fiscally responsible and fiscally solvent.”

The next Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District board meeting is scheduled for July 16.