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May 3

Commissioners raise rec department fees to pay for Total Fitness – Now Habersham

Exercise Programs Comments Off on Commissioners raise rec department fees to pay for Total Fitness – Now Habersham

The cost of taking over Total Fitness and hiring new recreation department personnel is adding up for Habersham County residents. The county has done away with free access to its indoor swimming pool and will soon start charging membership fees.

The move reverses a commission decision in September 2021 to waive fees for county residents and give them free access to the pool and gymnasiums. At the time, the county did not own Total Fitness.

Since taking on the failing fitness center from Habersham Medical Center, the county has hired a new program and fitness specialist to manage it. That position is in addition to three other full-time and four part-time positions county commissioners approved for the recreation department last year. [Habersham County Recredation Department Director Brooke Whitmire has asked for two more new positions in next years budget.]

To offset the additional expenses at the rec department, county commissioners recently voted 4-1 to reinstate user fees.

Commissioners Ty Akins, Dustin Mealor, Bruce Palmer, and Jimmy Tench eliminated free swimming by adopting a new fee structure proposed by Whitmire. The plan includes an All Access Pass for use of the pool and newly-acquired fitness facility at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville.

Unlike the old fee structure, the new rates are based on age and do not include a discounted family plan. Children under 18 are barred from using Total Fitness. They may still swim for free if theyre accompanied by a paying adult. However, those adult memberships are now more expensive for many county residents.

In-county adults ages 26-64 must now pay $45 more yearly for memberships than under the old plan. Senior citizens (65 and older), county employees, active duty military, and veterans will pay $55 less.

Without the discounted family rate, the difference in price for a family of six will amount to hundreds more dollars annually.

The table below demonstrates the old fee structure that was used from 2013 to 2021.

This table outlines the new fee structure.Source: Habersham County

Whitmire told commissioners that she and her staff surveyed surrounding counties and YMCAs with similar facilities. They feel the new fee structure is appropriate compared to surrounding areas.

Habersham County Commission Vice Chair Bruce Harkness was the only commissioner to vote against reinstating user fees at the aquatic center. He voted against the new fees, saying he was ashamed to start charging county residents again for something they were given for free, especially those who are underprivileged.

If you dont buy the package, you cant go swimming for free? Harkness asked during the April 17 meeting.

Thats right, replied Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughn.

Vaughn explained that there would be some free days during school holidays and during summer break, but otherwise, it would be covered in the membership package.

I was very proud of the way we said we would allow children to go to the aquatic center and play. Man, that was a great day; and now we are doing something [to take that away]. I will be a no vote, Harkness said moments before casting the lone dissenting vote.

Commissioner Harkness also expressed his continuing concerns about the county running a fitness center that competes with local businesses.

We have taxpayers that have businesses gyms in this community paying taxes, paying mortgages, paying light bills. They depend on people to come and pay for memberships to come to their gym, Harkness said. Im telling you, I do not believe government should be in competition with local taxpayers.

Several audience members at the meeting voiced their approval with a Here, Here.

Commissioner Mealor expressed similar concerns when he voted with Akins and Palmer to assume control of Total Fitness at a called meeting earlier this year.

We had no business being in the hospital business; I really dont think we should be in the gym business, Mealor said before voting to take over Total Fitness. He and the other commissioners voted on a contingency that they would re-evaluate the success of the program at the start of the 2024 budget year to determine whether to keep it as a county-run program or request proposals from private companies to run it.

Mealor said then that he wouldnt mind the county retaining control of the fitness center as long as it doesnt lose money.

On April 17, Whitmire said that 84 adults and young adults were already enrolled as members through Total Fitness. That number did not include those paying through insurance programs such as Silver Sneakers.(Jerry Neace/Now Habersham)

Vaughn said she felt confident in the program and that other services that are separate from the membership, such as exercise classes, would generate additional revenue to offset expenses.

Commissioner Mealor asked if the county has a plan in place for how to refund fitness center memberships if commissioners decide to shut it down.

Whitmire stated that about 98% pay for their membership with a credit/debit card, making it easier to reimburse members if a refund is necessary. Those who paid in person with cash would be reimbursed through the finance office.

The county has a scholarship program for those who cant afford memberships. Whitmire said people in the community may apply and also donate to the fund.

The new fees go into effect on May 1st.

Link:
Commissioners raise rec department fees to pay for Total Fitness - Now Habersham

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