Deferal of New Permit Fees for 2012

While we understand that the City sees a need to charge fees to all recreation users on a cost recovery basis, one could argue that these services are covered by our property taxes. Therefore the question becomes: Where did the numbers come from for the cost recovery analysis? Is the budget estimate of $1.5M from permit fees a realistic number? The actual amount will most likely be significantly less. Therefore it would not be onerous for the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department to absorb this until a proper process is put in place. We are requesting that Council: Direct Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff to withhold collection of fees for one year to give these organizations the opportunity to build the new permit fees into their registration fees.