PRPL staff recommends Council approve the proposed fee adjustments as presented in consideration of the department's overall fiscal strategies to reduce the margin of yearly operating deficits. PRPL Board voted unanimously to approve and recommend to Council the suggested fee adjustments at the 14 January 2026 PRPL Board meeting.   

As part of overall fiscal management, PRPL adjusts fees to offset operating costs. The suggested adjustments presented to Council address this strategy. The last time PRPL adjusted fees was in 2020. Approving the suggested adjustments as presented establishes a new timeline of analyzing possible adjustments on a yearly basis with the completion of segregating fees into three categories: Council approval, Administration approval, or PRPL approval. A Resolution for these suggested adjustments is attached to this memo for consideration. PRPL staff introduced this topic at the 5 January 2026 work session. PRPL Board voted unanimously to approve and recommend to Council the suggested fee adjustments at the 14 January 2026 PRPL Board meeting.   

PRPL adjusts fees associated with park amenities or user space to offset operating costs. These adjustments are used to cover increased expenses related to maintenance, seasonal wages, and subsidization of other programs. Adjustments to fees last occurred in 2020. Before the 2020 adjustment was implemented, PRPL adjusted fees in 2014. PRPL staff presented suggested new fee adjustments at the 5 January 2026 work session. Approving the suggested adjustments as presented establishes a new timeline of analyzing possible adjustments on a yearly basis with the completion of segregating fees into three categories: Council approval, Administration approval, or PRPL approval. 

Approval of the suggested fee adjustments is projected to increase revenue by $105,975. (Recreation program increases are not included in this projected revenue.) The areas affected by these adjustments include: pool admissions, water slide fees, pool season passes, swimming pool private rental fees, park shelter rental fees, neighborhood center rental fees, community sound stage rental fees, alcohol permits, park use permits, and non-resident fee. PRPL offers a scholarship program to help families offset costs associated in some of the aforementioned areas. PRPL granted 219 scholarships in 2025. For more information regarding PRPL scholarships, please visit PARK SCHOLARSHIPS. PRPL's foundation, Partners-4-Parks (P4P), has agreed to help subsidize non-profits unable to meet the suggested fee adjustment regarding park permits. PRPL staff will work with non-profits regarding the application process and act as a liaison between the non-profit and P4P.  

Suggested fee adjustments do not include any fees associated with the Courts Complex currently being constructed at the Amend Recreation Campus, fees associated with community gardens, or cemetery fees set in Resolution 23-11144.   

     

The projected financial impact of the approved suggested adjustments will increase revenue to PRPL by approximately $105,975 annually. This figure was calculated using 2025 data.  

City of Billings
PRPL department
Users of PRPL assets, amenities, and services 

Council may approve suggested adjustments;
Council may amend suggested adjustments;
Council may choose not to approve suggested adjustments.