Amarillo City Councilmembers have temporarily tabled an item aimed at increasing fees for after-school programs at the Warford Activity Center.
On Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council voted 5-0 to approve Councilwoman Freda Powell’s motion to temporarily table the fee increases for the Warford Center. Powell’s motion came as Councilmembers were mulling an after-school fee increase of $190 per month up from $30 per month for non-member children. Member children would also have seen their monthly fees jump from $20 to $170, if the item had passed.
Councilwoman Elaine Hays expressed concerns about approving the item, considering the short time frame from the item’s proposed approval to the beginning of the school year.
“I would argue [patrons] are being surprised right now,” Hays said.
While Hays expressed concerns about the move, Mayor Ginger Nelson also voted to table the item, but said she wanted Council to keep in mind its priority to recover costs.
“We have talked a lot about full cost recovery and here's staff asking for full cost recovery and we're putting the brakes on them,” Nelson said. “What I don't want is staff walking away thinking the Council doesn't want cost recovery.”
The proposed fee increases will be tabled for two weeks, according to the City Council. During that time period, municipal staff has been asked to collect feedback from the public about the proposed fee increases.
