ORANGE : Fees for City-Run Activities Are Hiked

The price of learning how to tap dance just went up.

And that’s not all. The city-sponsored dance class is just one of about 40 adult, youth and educational programs that will experience fee increases effective Saturday. The City Council last week unanimously approved the fee hikes, which will generate an estimated $144,000 in revenue for the city’s depleted general fund.

Adults activities, such as softball and basketball leagues, were the hardest hit by the increases. For example, fees for softball teams will jump from $425 to $450. The city said that, unlike past years, it can no longer afford to subsidize adult programs.

“Obviously, we have had a downturn in economic times in Orange, and we recommended the increases in the adult programs with the understanding adults have the capacity to pay for their programs,” said Gabe Garcia of the city’s Recreation Department.

Youth programs such as day camps and playground activities will also see fee increases. But many others, such as sports clinics on wrestling and cheerleading, were spared higher fees.

Most fees for educational programs such as computer basics and handwriting analysis will also be raised. Most of those programs will cost $5 more this year for the eight- to 10-week sessions.

Swimming fees are also slated for fee hikes, but the council deferred approving them until maintenance agreements can be reached with the local school district, which operates the facilities.

The fee increases were based on a city consultant’s recommendations in August when the city faced a $2.1-million shortfall in its 1993-94 budget.