Cape council bumps up golf, park fees

It's going to cost a bit more to die or play golf in the city limits of Cape Girardeau.

Monday night, the city council approved 5 percent across-the-board fee increases for all park and recreation services. Councilman Jay Purcell voted against the increase, which passed on a 6-1 vote.

City officials say it's a nominal increase necessitated by the need to counter continuing budget woes.

The fee increases, which take effect May 7, include higher daily greens fees at the municipal golf courses and a higher cost for graves in city cemeteries.

It is the first such increase in at least six years. "I don't think people are going to holler at all about this," said parks and recreation department director Dan Muser. "It's been several years since we've raised the fees."

The increases may be nominal, but they're far reaching. For example, the cost of using the A.C. Brase Arena Building's main floor and grandstand will increase for commercial uses from $567 to $595.35. Grave spaces will increase for adults from $113 to $118.65.

Greens fees for weekday use will go from $9.90 to $10.40 and from $12.10 to $12.70 on the weekends. However, Muser said that the yearly passes will not increase. Around $300, Muser said that price is already in line with where the city wants that fee to be.

The Osage Community Centre will see increases for commercial rentals for the main floor go from $1,250 to $1,312. Location convention-holders will have to pay $840, up from $800, to use the main floor. Meeting rooms will see increases, too.

"But none of the increases seem unreasonable," Muser said.

Muser said the fee increases will generate about $20,000 annually for the city's general revenue fund.

"We can't keep cutting without looking at revenue opportunities," Mayor Jay Knudtson said after the meeting.

The measure passed unanimously, though the council did not discuss the vote.

Muser said the council acted now because each spring his department includes a brochure detailing summer programs and their costs. The information will be printed in the May 7 Southeast Missourian.

smoyers@semissourian

335-6611, extension 137