Fee hikes in rich parts of LV eyed

Dan Kulin and Sito Negron

Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 | 11:06 a.m.

Residents of affluent neighborhoods would pay more for some municipal activities than people in less wealthy areas, under a proposed fee increase scheduled to go before the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday.

The increases to some of the Leisure Services Department activities, if approved, would bring in an additional $600,000 in revenue, according to city documents.

The increases would come in two categories. One would raise the price of entry at two regional pools and increase the cost of the Safekey program, both of which serve the entire city, according to backup material for the council meeting.

A one-month pass for one person at the pools -- Pavilion Center and the Municipal Pool -- would go from $20 to $30. The Safekey program, which cares for children, would increase 15 percent. The dollar amount depends on how many children are enrolled and when; for one child in the morning the cost would go from $8 to $10.

The other category is where the prices differ depending on where a city resident lives. Those areas would be identified in three tiers, based on annual average household incomes in areas. For a $20,000 to $35,000 total income, fees won't go up. For incomes of $35,001-$50,000, fees increase 10 percent. And for an income of more than $50,000, fees would go up 15 percent.

Under the proposal, fees would go up 15 percent for recreational activities at three community schools in Ward 6, two in Ward 4, and three in Ward 2. Fees would go up 10 percent at two community schools in Ward 5, one in Ward 3, and two in Ward 1. Also, fees would go up by 10 percent at two pools -- Garside and Cragin -- in Ward 1.

According to backup material for this week's Las Vegas City Council meeting, the increases would take into account individual economic situations, so people who lived in a wealthier neighborhood but fell below a certain income still could participate in fee-based activities.

"Scholarship, financial assistance and discounts are available," city backup documents note.

City Councilman Lawrence Weekly said he thinks the increases will be supported by the council, but he's holding off on saying whether he will support the increases until he hears more from staff and his fellow council members.

"I have an open mind," Weekly said. "It's got to be something fair to ease the financial burden on the centers, and not drive people away."

Council members Janet Moncrief and Gary Reese said they wouldn't make up their minds on the proposed fee increases until after they meet with city staff to get the details on the proposal.

"I'd like to know why they want to do this," Reese said, referring to city staff.