Posted: Monday, September 6, 2010 10:15 pm

Low residency rates spur possible rate change
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
The Brentwood Parks Advisory Board this afternoon will discuss a recommendation by city staff that would amend the categorization of the Brentwood Soccer Club under the city’s Service Provider Policies for the 2010-11 seasons.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Center, 5211 Maryland Way.

Because of the declining percentage of city residents participating in the club’s older age group competitive youth teams, the city is proposing BWSC be a Category II service provider only for teams in the U12 and under designations. Category II requires that 60 percent of participates live with the city limits.

The club’s U13 and up teams would rent fields from the city based on the city’s currently adopted rental rates for youth teams and would not have residency restrictions. These age groups would not have to pay non-resident fees. The club would still be allowed to host its two tournaments covering all age groups at its current service provider tournament rates.

According to the city, based on prior field usage history, the proposed change would increase the club’s fees paid to the city by approximately $25,000.

According to information included in the meeting's agenda, city staff and club representatives have met on two occasions to discuss the plan. While club representatives are concerned about the financial impacts of the proposal, city staff believes the plan "is appropriate and reasonable given the club's declining residency numbers, especially in the 13 and up age groups which are less than 40 percent Brentwood residents."

Also on the agenda are an update on an upcoming Halloween Story Telling event planned in Crockett Park and a request by the Ravenwood High School Lacrosse program for its fall lacrosse league.

Click here to read BHP’s earlier story on the proposal, which includes a lively discussion among BHP readers in our comments section.