Another conversation at Saint John Common Council on Monday night over Recreation Subsidization Policies.
It is a plan to increase user fees over time at city-owned fields and arenas to help recover costs.
For 2022, city staff had suggested 70 per cent implementation, instead of the 100 per cent projected in the original plan.
They brought forward a new motion on Monday night to maintain rates this year at 60 per cent implementation, with full implementation not being reached until 2024.
That means this year, the city will recover 54 per cent of costs from adult residents, 48 per cent from youth, school teams from Saint John and tournaments, and 100 per cent from for-profit businesses.
Full implementation will see the city recover 90 per cent of costs from adults, 60 per cent of costs from youth, school teams from Saint John and tournaments, and 100 per cent from for-profit businesses.
During the conversation, Councillor Brent Harris brought his own motion to the table.
“Freeze the rates as they are currently, from 2021 to 2022, make crucial investments in recreation and our parks to provide the best possible service to our residents, and develop a new governing policy in 2023 that embodies those values,” said Harris.
The motion was approved five to four as Councillor David Hickey was absent and did not cast a vote.
Council also approved the updated Outdoor Facility Allocation Policy, and directed the City Manager to develop recommendations for Finance Committee’s consideration for the 2023 implementation of the recreation subsidization policies.
