CONWAY – According to the town manager, the town could realize hundreds of thousands of dollars in non-tax revenue by boosting various fees. To that end, the board decided to raise the cost of the Conway Recreation Department's summer program by $25.
Property taxes and non-tax revenue have become of particular concern this year as there are tax cap articles on the town and school ballots this year. The tax caps, if approved by voters on April 8, would limit increases in the amount of money that budget committee can propose to raise in taxes to 10 percent over last year for the town and 2.5 percent over last year for the school. Part of the reason the amount to be raised by taxes is increasing has been declines in non-tax revenues, and town manager Earl Sires took a look at what can be done about that.
"Based on this exercise, there is a $300,000 increase in fees that could be accomplished," said Sires. "There is something in here for everybody to dislike."
Any additional non-tax revenue would decrease the amount needed to be raised by property taxes.
Selectmen were looking at the fees charged for a variety of categories such as police, building and septic, planning and zoning, administrative, cable franchise fee special events, recreation and facility use.
At the selectmen's meeting of April 1, the board voted to raise the recreation department's summer program fee from $150 for eight weeks to $175. Residents who sign their children up early will continue to get a $15 discount.
The summer program is basically a day camp for kids that runs Monday through Friday. Children in the summer program go on trips to places like the beach and Story Land. Trips aren't covered by the fee.
"It's an opportunity for kids to go to camp without spending the night," said recreation director John Eastman.
Those who can't afford the summer program can get help, in the form of scholarships, from the Friends of Conway Rec.
Over the years, the rec department has increased the fee for the summer program. In 2007, the fee was $100. It gradually increased over the next seven years. In 2013 it jumped from $140 to $150.
Former budgeteer Bob Barriault said $150 for one child is less than $4 per day.
"That's one hell of a deal," said Barriault who said increases in the cost of the summer program could mirror the increases in the budget.
Selectmen voted 3-2 to support increasing the cost of the summer program by $25. Selectmen Mike DiGregorio and Mary Carey Seavey were in the minority. DiGregorio said the board should be looking at fees townwide.
"Clearly the rec center has taken the brunt of fees going up over the last few years and I don't believe we've made many fee adjustments to any other program," said DiGregorio acknowledging the rec program had a deadline to get summer program cost information to parents.
Seavey agreed with DiGregorio.
Chairman David Weathers said the rec department does a "great job" with the children.
"It is a well run program," said Weathers.
"Based on this exercise, there is a $300,000 increase in fees that could be accomplished," said Sires. "There is something in here for everybody to dislike."
Any additional non-tax revenue would decrease the amount needed to be raised by property taxes.
Selectmen were looking at the fees charged for a variety of categories such as police, building and septic, planning and zoning, administrative, cable franchise fee special events, recreation and facility use.
At the selectmen's meeting of April 1, the board voted to raise the recreation department's summer program fee from $150 for eight weeks to $175. Residents who sign their children up early will continue to get a $15 discount.
The summer program is basically a day camp for kids that runs Monday through Friday. Children in the summer program go on trips to places like the beach and Story Land. Trips aren't covered by the fee.
"It's an opportunity for kids to go to camp without spending the night," said recreation director John Eastman.
Those who can't afford the summer program can get help, in the form of scholarships, from the Friends of Conway Rec.
Over the years, the rec department has increased the fee for the summer program. In 2007, the fee was $100. It gradually increased over the next seven years. In 2013 it jumped from $140 to $150.
Former budgeteer Bob Barriault said $150 for one child is less than $4 per day.
"That's one hell of a deal," said Barriault who said increases in the cost of the summer program could mirror the increases in the budget.
Selectmen voted 3-2 to support increasing the cost of the summer program by $25. Selectmen Mike DiGregorio and Mary Carey Seavey were in the minority. DiGregorio said the board should be looking at fees townwide.
"Clearly the rec center has taken the brunt of fees going up over the last few years and I don't believe we've made many fee adjustments to any other program," said DiGregorio acknowledging the rec program had a deadline to get summer program cost information to parents.
Seavey agreed with DiGregorio.
Chairman David Weathers said the rec department does a "great job" with the children.
"It is a well run program," said Weathers.
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