To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Bert Whitaker, 707-565-2041; Robert Gonzalez, 707-565-6032
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): First District
Title:
Title
10:40 A.M. Consolidated Fee Hearing - Regional Parks Fee Package FY2026-2027, Spring Lake Park
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors authorizing fee adjustments for various fees supporting seasonal day use parking, residence maintenance, camp fees, enhanced recreational programs, and inflatable water park fees.
B) Review and approve new fees including classroom-based field trips by staff, and cabana rentals.
end
Executive Summary:
Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa is one of the County’s most popular parks. The park features trails, boating, camping, and picnic areas. Facilities include the Environmental Discovery Center, the seasonal swimming lagoon, a water park, as well as boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals. The park is owned by the Sonoma County Water Agency and operated and staffed by Regional Parks. This fee item was prepared to address fees relevant to this specific park’s operation. In most cases, adjustments recommended are the same for other parks within the county operated by Regional Parks.
The Parks department recommends fee increases and proposes new fees based on programming needs. Details of current and proposed rates are included in the Fee Package Adjustment document and Resolution accompanying this report.
Discussion:
Changes to current fees and rates
The proposed fee increases reflect the reasonable costs to maintain the parks for public use and partially recover costs for the services provided. Regional Parks attempts to keep increases minimal (typically around 3%) but this year recommendations are higher due to consistency with other previously approved fees, and increased labor costs related to the level of staffing required to support activities and program delivery.
Regional Parks proposes to increase or adjust the following fees for FY 2026-27:
• Seasonal day use parking
• Residence maintenance fee
• Camp fees: 4-day camp
• Daily camp fees
• Enhanced recreational program, 4-20 participants, cost recovery basis
• Inflatable water park
Justification for changes to current fees
Seasonal Day Use Parking Fee
In 2025-26, the Seasonal Day Use Parking fee (Friday prior to Memorial Day to Sunday following Labor Day) was increased to $10.00. The Department is recommending this fee be increased to $12.00 beginning Friday, May 22, 2026, to be consistent with the fee being charged at most river parks during this same season. This represents a 20% increase.
Residence Maintenance Fees (employee housing)
A fee increase of 3% is recommended based on employee bargaining agreements allowing for an annual increase equal to the salary percentage increase for the employee that year.
Camp Fees (4-day camps)
Camp fees are recommended to increase from $250-$350 to $280-$400 to support the number of staff (typically 3-5) required to operate the camps and to meet program standards. This increase will also supplement expenses necessary to provide the program. This represents a 12%-14% increase.
Enhanced Recreational Programs
Fees are recommended to increase from $100-$400 to $150-$500 to help support additional staff designated to provide for the recreational program offered (approximately 5.5 hours of staff time, 2 hours of preparation and set up, and 3.5 hours for 3-4 staff program delivery). This represents a 25%-50% increase.
Inflatable Water Park
It is recommended the fee structure be revised and increased to a single participant rate, eliminating separate adult and child fees to simplify transactions and improve customer clarity. The proposed fee increase is necessary to support the operational costs of the program: staffing requirements of 7-9 certified lifeguards and additional support staff, equipment maintenance and replacements, program safety and sanitation supplies and administrative costs all needed to safely operate the inflatable water park and meet established program and safety standards. Rates are proposed to increase from $7-$12 to $9-$14, based on peak and non-peak sessions. If approved, this fee will be effective as of May 22, 2026, as the water park will be available to the public beginning Memorial Day weekend. This represents a 17%-29% increase.
New Proposed Fees
Classroom-Based Field Trip
This service is provided for schools who are unable to provide actual field trips to regional park locations. Approximately 5 hours of staff time will be used for preparation and up to 3 hours for classroom delivery. The proposed fee will be based on a rate of $7 per student multiplied by the number of students in the classroom. This service will only be available to Sonoma County students and local schools.
Cabana Rental
This year at Spring Lake, staff propose to offer cabana rentals to be used around the swimming lagoon. Rentals will range from $100-$200 based on peak and non-peak water park sessions.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
March 25, 2025 - Board of Supervisors adopted Regional Parks Fee Adjustments
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY25-26 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$147,778.04 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
$147,778.04 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
$147,778.04 |
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
$147,778.04 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Fees reflect the reasonable cost of operating park facilities and supporting community events, activities, educational opportunities, and services. Factors such as utility costs, costs of goods purchased for sale or impact on facilities or staff performing the function typically will necessitate a higher rate as shown with this year.
While partial cost recovery is the key driver necessitating increases to park fees, Regional Parks seeks to ensure that its fees are not prohibitive to users even at the expense of cost recovery.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Fee Resolution
Regional Parks Fee Package Adjustment PDF
PowerPoint Slides
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Regional Parks Fee Package Adjustment EXCEL
PowerPoint