The City Commission this week unanimously voted to drop the 10-cents-a-day late fees for library books. Also voted to begin charging youth athletic organizations a per child fee per season for sports participation on city fields, beginning in January.
They will formally vote on the matters as part of their annual budget process later this month.
“I’ve been here 45 years, and we’ve never had to do this before,” Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director Bob Donahay said of the youth sports fee. “The cost of fertilizers, (agriculture and horticulture) chemicals and pesticides has gone crazy.
According to, Alicia James, president of Swan City Soccer Club, said she didn’t think the new fee would have much of an impact on their families.
Mayor Bill Mutz said it was the right move, but also wanted to make sure children in need could continue to play.
Donahay said they are going to make sure everyone can play.
“We want more children on our fields, not less, so if there is a problem there, we’re going to figure out how to solve it together,” Donahay said. “We’re going to make sure that all children are on our athletic fields or inside our gymnasiums or inside our libraries and not to exclude anyone. But trust me, we’ll go the extra mile in that.”
Facility rentals are increasing also.