Pay to play

How does your department handle program fees for non-residents versus residents? That was a recent question posted from Baton Rouge, La., on NRRPA's forum, eCommunities. For information on how to join the discussion, become a member by clicking on "Join Now" on the right-hand side of NRPA's Web site, www.nrpa.org. Here are some of the responses:

"We charge a flat tee of $15 more per registration for non-residents ($5 more if it is only a one-day activity.)"--Groton, Conn.

"I would suggest that you start by identifying your total program costs. Next, I would work with your commission to determine what percentage of costs you want to recover from the users of your programs and what percentage of that total should be from residents versus non-residents. For example, you may want to recover 100 percent of the costs for a round of golf from non-residents, but only 90 percent of your costs for a round of golf from your residents."--Kansas City, Mo.

"All of our programs are 100 percent fee-supported. We charge $5-10 per program for out-of-town residents."--Shrewsbury, Mass.

"Our department just implemented a 20 percent non-resident fee to all programs and rentals. If an individual has to fill out a registration or rental form, we use the address on the form to determine residency Facilities and programs that are tourist-driven do not fall under the additional fee regulation."--Baton Rouge, La.

"Currently we charge the same price to residents and non-residents for season passes. The discounted price during the month of April is $27 for an individual pass or $40 for a family of four (plus $4 for each additional member). In May the price goes back up to the regular price which is $35 for individual passes and $50 for a family of four (plus $5 for each additional member). For family passes they all have to reside in the same household. Our daily admission for an adult is $2."--Kingsport, Tenn.

"Brewer Parks & Recreation charges $20 for individual resident pass and $40 for a family pass. We do not sell non-resident season passes. Daily admission for residents is: 50 cents for children and $1 for adults. Non-resident daily fee is $1 for children and $1.50 for adult. Seniors are free."--Brewer, Maine

"We dropped the distinction between residents and non-residents two years ago. We did not have enough out-of-county residents buying passes to justify the additional administrative costs of maintaining the distinction."--New Albany, Ind.

"Our pool is open for 12 weeks. Resident individual is $20, resident family of four is $60. Non-Resident single is $40 and non-resident family of four is $120. Additional members are $10 per person for residents and $20 per person for non-residents. Daily fees are $3 for youth and $5 for adults."--Elkhorn, Wis.