Logo courtesy of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - At the Aug. 19 meeting, the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors swore in Manuel Lavalle, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by director John O’Farrell on his retirement.

During public comments, Kristin Martin spoke on behalf of the American River Girls Softball organization to oppose a proposed fee increase of more than 100 percent for softball field rentals. She said increased fees should come with improved facilities, but there have been no improvements to the existing La Vista fields where the girls play. Martin added that an increase of this magnitude would mean raising registration fees for the players, which would impact access, equity and the value placed on girls’ sports. 

The Board heard a presentation on proposed updates to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recreation Fee Schedule, which aims to recover the actual costs of providing services.  

Update highlights included new special events fees, and fees for new rental areas at Fair Oaks Park, Plaza Park and Village Park. 

Some of the largest fee increases were for the multipurpose field rentals, increasing from $150 per month to as much as $350 (a 133% increase), and the baseball and softball field rentals, increasing from $150 up to $400 at the highest range (a possible 166% increase). 

Chair Raymond James Irwin asked for an explanation of the cost recovery and how it impacts the updates to fees. Staff explained that in the case of the fields, the fees cover the cost of maintenance, including field irrigation and mowing, as well as staff and administrative costs. 

District Administrator Aaron Robertson said fees have not been updated in six years, which is why some of the increases are more significant, since the district’s actual costs have increased dramatically during that time. 

Director Ralph Carhart said community partners provide vital recreational opportunities within the district, and he values the district’s commitment to providing discounted rates to those partners. Carhart acknowledged the importance of cost recovery, but said, “If we put these groups under, then they are gone for the community.”  

During public comments, the president of the Fair Oaks Historical Society spoke in support of the fee updates, stating it would improve efficiency by better covering costs. 

Director Delinda Tamagni suggested that the district needs to ensure the La Vista fields are just as nice and usable as the baseball fields at Phoenix Park. She also recommended that the district start adjusting fees every year instead of imposing a large increase all at once. 

The Board voted 4-0 to approve the updated fee schedule, with Carhart abstaining. The updated fees will go into effect immediately. 

The Board also considered some final changes to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, which totals $4,685,733 and includes full-year funding for authorized permanent positions, services and supplies, and capital expenditures. 

The biggest increase was $63,997 in salaries and benefits due to rising health care costs. The budget also includes expenditures for the following capital projects: concessions building equipment upgrades at $100,000, replacement bleachers at $120,000, amphitheater lobby furniture at $25,000, amphitheater storage and shelving at $15,000 and ADA walkway/path panels at $11,000. 

A master plan update was initially approved at $200,00 to be completed by an outside consultant. But staff determined they can complete the project in-house for approximately $50,000, saving the district $150,000. 

While the final budget balances the district’s operational needs, staff will continue monitoring revenues and managing costs to ensure multi-year fiscal sustainability. District Administrator Robertson said they are also aggressively pursuing grants to offset costs for some of the capital projects.

Director Tamagni thanked staff for putting together a balanced budget: “I know there were some really hard decisions that had to be made this year, including letting go of some staff to make the budget work, and that’s always I think the hardest thing to do. … I know it was not easy to get there.” 

The Board voted unanimously to approve the final budget. 

Recreation Manager Nick Davison requested approval of matching funds to secure a grant for the Miller Park Community Tennis Courts Lighting Project, which will replace the existing tennis court lighting with high-efficiency LED sports lighting, saving the district $33,115 in lighting costs over 10 years. 

The total project cost is $179,299. If the district commits $95,000 in matching funds, they can secure $84,299 in grant funding from the 2026–27 SMUD SHINE Award. 

Vice Chair Darren Mounts asked whether the user group that regularly plays tennis at those courts were contributing any funding to the project. Davison said they submitted a letter of support for the project but did not commit to providing any funding. Mounts suggested the group should host a fundraiser to offset some of the cost to the district, with a potential target of raising $10,000: “Obviously, with the budget the way it is, every dollar counts.”

Chair Irwin said he was disappointed no one from the user group attended the meeting, since this funding would be a direct benefit to them. 

The Board voted unanimously to approve the matching funds. 

Finally, the board considered an agreement with Rockstarr Kitchens to provide food and beverage concession services at the Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center (FOPAC) in Village Park. The agreement would operate as pilot program, so the district can evaluate it over a one-year period. 

So far, the district has been utilizing staff time to operate the concessions, so the goal is to reduce district costs by using a third-party concession operator. Under the proposed agreement, Rockstarr Kitchens would pay $1,200 per month for facility rentals to occupy and use the two FOPAC concession windows and the Village Hall commercial kitchen for food and beverage sales. 

Chair Irwin said he would like to see monthly accounting reports showing how much money is coming in through concession sales.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the concessions agreement. 

The next meeting of the FORPD Board is scheduled for Sept. 16.