City raises fees on some services

DOWNEY - The city projects to generate an additional $257,100 this coming fiscal year by increasing 44 service fees and creating 58 new fees, according to an updated rate schedule approved by the City Council on Tuesday.The vast majority of the new fees are attributable to the Columbia Memorial Space Center, which is establishing rates as new programs and services become available. Admission to the center remains the same at $5 per person, but parts of the center are now available for rental at rates ranging from $75 to $350 per hour, with a minimum 3-hour reservation. As the Downey Theatre prepares for its first season of programming under management of professional theater operator VenueTech, the city also created seven new fees related to the theater's rental, including a $200 box office fee and $150 (per day) video license fee. Rates will not be increased for "established" Downey organizations and non-profit performing arts organizations with five years of continuous theater rental. The Recreation department increased fees on 26 city services while creating five new fees, including a $150 charge for adult, commercial and travel ball tournaments, plus $50 daily for use of the snack shack. The price to golf at the Rio Hondo Golf Club climbed about $1 to $2 per round, as did buckets of balls at the driving range. Golf cart rental fees stayed the same.

********** Published: June 30, 2011 - Volume 11 - Issue 10