The Kalispell City Council during its Monday meeting set a new fee schedule for programs run by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Parks Director Chad Fincher said that it has been four years since the City Council looked at fee changes. Since then, some programs hadn’t been keeping up with the cost of operation as expenses such as fuel, utilities and credit card transaction fees increased.

“All of those things added up after a while, so we took a look,” Fincher said.

Department heads studied what it would take for the programs to break even. They also looked at similar programs in other towns for comparison before arriving at the new figures. Fincher said that it’s all in a big data set they’ve compiled over the years. It’s a delicate balance between breaking even and staying at an affordable rate.

“That’s the key to this. It’s helping the community,” Fincher said. “We’re trying to offer things to the community that are feasible.”

The cost of most programs went up a few dollars. Spring soccer, for instance, will now be $30 instead of $28 for city residents.  

Other activities saw larger increases. Art Camp registration will now cost $50 instead of $25, which brings the price up to the city’s estimated “break-even” figure. Ice skating lessons went from $22 to $45.

Fincher said that in the future, the city will look at the program costs more often to make sure they’re working. He said that one key to keeping the cost down is to maintain relationships with organizations such as Kalispell Public Schools and the Flathead Valley Hockey Association.

“We’re going to analyze each year, we’re going to look at what the program cost us to make sure that we don’t have any different with how we’re moving forward,” he said.

IN OTHER business, the council finalized plans for the Spring Prairie Phase 4 commercial center. The development is slated for 28 acres south of Costco adjoining Kidsports and will include space for 14 retail stores.

The center will look to bring businesses in that local shoppers “haven’t yet seen in the area,” according to Karen Blumenstein, who represents the developer.

Construction of the complex will include a proposed stop light on U.S. 93 at the entrance to Flathead Valley Community College.

A second reading of the zone change ordinance will take place at the May 4 council meeting.

The council also passed a resolution of intent for its plan to acquire indebted lots at Old School Station. This step was an announcement or sorts that the city wants to buy the lots. Public input, including that of the current lot owners, will be solicited until May 4, when the council plans to finalize the transaction.

Reach reporter Matt Hudson at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.