Title
Parks, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file a presentation on Parks and Trails Division Cost Recovery;
2) Provide conceptual approval and direction to staff on the proposed cost recovery service categories model and cost recovery targets by service category;
3) Provide direction on the methodology for the cost recovery analysis and fee study, whether it is to be conducted internally by staff or by a consultant, and direct staff to return to the Board with results of the analysis and fee study;
4) Discuss and provide direction to staff on closing parks and trails facilities, or portions thereof, and frequency of closing to allow for private special events and filming, and direct staff to develop a permit process;
5) Discuss and provide direction to staff to initiate a Request for Information (RFI) process to seek recreation programming services for existing facilities to achieve cost recovery targets and return with the results of the RFI;
6) Discuss and provide direction to staff on contracting out work with a consultant to update the 2018 Draft Park Impact Fee Nexus Study with a focus on regional recreation amenities;
7) Discuss and provide direction to staff to engage with a consultant to investigate the viability of a general obligation bond to provide revenue for regional recreation amenities;
8) Direct staff to contact the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Prop 68 Grant Program representative to determine if the Forebay Park Renovation Project is eligible for submission, and if given approval, to submit a conceptual application in the amount of $500,000 to be used for the unfunded project balance;
9) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 098-2025 and direct staff to complete the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant-In-Aid program application, administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, in the amount of approximately $1,871,254.66 for the remaining Forebay Park Renovation Project unfunded project balance and subsequent project phases;
10) Direct staff to submit a pre-application to the Wildlife Conservation Board grant program to be considered for a Planning project to complete engineering designs for the selected Chili Bar site plan; and
11) Direct staff to engage in conversation with the American River Conservancy about Chili Bar fees and to discuss eligibility of the Chili Bar project with grant program representatives from the State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.
FUNDING: General Fund and Fees for Service.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On February 11, 2025 (Legistar file 25-0236), the Board directed staff county-wide to work with the Budget Ad Hoc Committee to research increasing fees to reflect the actual costs to provide services and explore revenue generating ideas that focus on tourists rather than residents and return to the Board with a recommendation. The Board again on April 8, 2025 directed staff county-wide to work with the Budget Ad Hoc Committee to explore revenue generating options (Legistar file 25-0654), and on June 24, 2025 directed staff to evaluate the current fee structure and assess possible fee increases for the River Management Plan (RMP) program (Legistar file 25-0982).
The Parks and Trails Division is committed to delivering exceptional parks, trails, and open spaces, that enhance the quality of life for our residents and visitors alike. A responsible financial sustainability approach will ensure the long-term viability of our parks system. At the core of this approach is a cost recovery framework that balances public benefit with fiscal responsibility. This means that basic services that provide community value such as parks, playgrounds, trails, and basic recreation open to the broader public will continue to be supported primarily through public funding, including the General Fund. Conversely, use of facilities and services that provide an individual benefit such as facility rentals, specialized programs, and special events will be priced to recover a greater portion of their direct costs.
The Division plans to set its cost recovery targets based on service category, demand, equity, and operational costs. Fee structures will be transparent, and in alignment with the cost of providing the service and overall benefit to the community. This financial sustainability strategy ensures that El Dorado County’s parks will remain well-maintained, accessible, and more resilient to budget pressures supporting the well-being of our community now and for generations to come.
Refer to the attached Staff Memo (Attachment B) for discussion and staff recommendations on the following:
• A cost recovery analysis and fee study of parks and trails facilities and programs, including the discussion of proposed service categories and cost recovery targets by service category.
• Possible avenues for revenue generation to achieve cost recovery targets, including:
a. Closed park and trail facilities for private events and filming;
b. Recreation programming services;
c. Park and trails impact fee nexus study;
d. General obligation bond; and
d. Grant opportunities for Forebay Park and Chili Bar projects.
Approval of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Resolution could result in the award of grant funding for the Forebay Park Renovation Project in the amount of approximately $1,871,254.66 from LWCF, with required matching funds in the amount of approximately $400,000 from Prop 68 Per Capita Grant Funds and $1,000,000 in the FY 2025-26 Board Recommended General Fund Allocation, and possible other funding sources that are being pursed. The grant is a reimbursable program and requires grantees to be able to finance 100% of the project.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose to provide alternative direction to staff regarding the proposed recommendations.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 25-0982 - June 24, 2025 - Conceptual approval to amend County Ordinance Code Sec 5.48
Legistar file 25-0732 - April 22, 2025 - $1M of discretionary funding included in FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget for Forebay Park
Legistar file 25-0654 - April 8, 2025 - FY25-26 Recommended Budget $1M reallocation from Chili Bar project to General Fund
Legistar file 24-0198 - February 6, 2024 - Contract with Lebeck Engineering to develop preliminary development options for Chili Bar
Legistar file 23-1523 - September 12, 2023 - Forebay Park Renovation Project Phase 1 approved
Legistar file 22-2088 - December 6, 2022 - Review and selection of Chili Bar Request for Proposals
Legistar file 22-1516 - October 25, 2022 - Parks fees effective 12-1-2022
Legistar file 21-1452 - September 21, 2021 - Prop 68 Per Capita grant for Forebay Park restroom
Legistar file 21-1199 - July 27, 2021 - Chili Bar Feasibility Study review and direction on Request for Proposals
Legistar file 20-0420 - June 23, 2020 - Funding approved for Chili Bar feasibility study
Legistar file 18-1636 - October 18, 2018 - Parks & Recreation Commission recommended the Board approve the Nexus Study
Legistar file 18-0280 - April 19, 2018 - Parks & Recreation Commission discussed 2018 Draft Park Impact Fee Nexus Study
Legistar file 11-0414 - May 3, 2011 - New park fees established
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Parks and Recreation Commission, Chief Administrative Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Staff will return to the Board with the cost recovery analysis and fee study based on the service categories, cost recovery targets, and cost recovery analysis implementation method directed by the Board. If conducted internally, there is no financial impact associated with this item other than the staff time to conduct the cost recovery analysis. However, if the Board directs staff to include General Fund appropriations in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget to commission a consultant to conduct the cost recovery analysis, the Net County Cost to consider is approximately $35,000. Upon the Board’s direction on any of the other proposed recommendations, staff will return to the Board with cost estimates and the impact, if any, to Net County Cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Zachary Perras, Parks Manager
Jennifer Franich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer