TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Appendix A - City Fee Schedule; Amending Parks and Recreation - General Fees and Facility Rental Fees; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action First Reading
Option 1: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-13 to second reading on June 9, 2026, as presented.
City Commission Options First Reading
Option 1: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-13 to second reading on June 9, 2026, as presented.
• Pros:
o Supports cost recovery for Warm Mineral Springs Park (WMSP) and George Mullen Activity Center (GMAC) operations by establishing Commission-directed annual pass and rental rate structures.
o Enhances pricing transparency and consistency by incorporating previously discussed changes into the codified City Fee Schedule.
o Provides residents, Sarasota County residents, and non-residents with expanded access options through the annual pass structure.
o Formalizes the reduced rental rate for the North Port Senior Center, LLC., aligning the fee schedule with the existing lease intent and Commission direction.
• Cons:
o May require staff time to update internal systems, public-facing materials, and communication platforms to reflect the new fees.
o Some users may perceive the addition of new fee categories as a change to existing pricing structure.
Option 2: Do not continue Ordinance No. 2026-13 to second reading, as presented.
• Pros: There will be no financial changes to the General Fees or Facility Rental Fees eliminating the need for document or system updates.
• Cons:
o The Parks & Recreation Department will not be able to implement the Commission-directed annual pass option for WMSP or the reduced rental rate for the Senior Center at the GMAC.
o Limits opportunities for expanded recreational services.
o Fee schedule remains inconsistent with recent consensus.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological order of events pertinent to Ordinance No. 2026-13
Ø February 2, 2026: During the City Commission Workshop, the Commission discussed agenda item 26-0280, Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Fee Structure for Warm Mineral Springs Park, Located at 12200 San Servando Avenue, North Port, Florida, 34287. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Commission made the following consensus:
“To direct the City Manager to reactivate the annual pass at fiscal year 2025 rates while maintaining current multi-visit pass structure and pricing and bring back an Ordinance for Commission review.”
Ø March 2, 2026: During the City Commission Workshop, the Commission discussed agenda item 26-0404, Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Establishment of a Reduced Rental Rate for the North Port Senior Center, Inc. to Utilize the George Mullen Activity Center, Located at 1602 Kramer Way, North Port, Florida 34286. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Commission made the following consensus:
“To direct the City Manager to create a flat rental rate of $200 per month for up to 120 hours of monthly facility use, mirroring the rent payment identified in the current Lease Agreement between the City of North Port and the North Port Senior Center, Inc.”
The recommended fees have been incorporated in the amended Appendix A - City Fee Schedule. Changes to the fees are indicated using strike-through for deletions and underline for new or modified fees, as reflected in Appendix A - City Fee Schedule of Ordinance No. 2026-13. Effective August 1, 2026.
Following are the directed updates to Section H - General Fees of Appendix A - City Fee Schedule, to include the addition of the Warm Mineral Springs Park annual pass option for Residents, Sarasota County Residents, and Non-Residents.
Ø Resident Annual Pass - Warm Mineral Springs Park $1,125.00
Ø Sarasota County Resident Annual Pass - Warm Mineral Springs Park $1,600.00
Ø Nonresident Annual Pass - Warm Mineral Springs Park $2,000.00
Following are the directed updates to Section I - Facility Fees of Appendix A - City Fee Schedule, to include the addition of the annual rental rate for the North Port Senior Center, LLC.
Ø Special Use - North Port Senior Center, LLC $ 200.00 per month
(up to 120 hours per month)
Ordinance No. 2026-13 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Business Impact Estimate for Ordinance No. 2026-13 will be posted timely on the City’s website prior to final reading, per Florida Statutes Section 166.041(4).
Strategic Plan
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Upon the expiration of the North Port Senior Center LLC lease and in alignment with direction provided by Commission, the City is anticipating receiving $200 in revenue in Fiscal Year 2026 from the North Port Senior Center LLC. Revenues from rentals at Park & Recreation facilities are deposited into General Fund account 001-0000-347-50-00. The only costs associated with this use of space are administrative.
Upon Commission direction to re-establish the annual pass option for Warm Mineral Springs Park, the City is anticipating receiving $9,875 in revenue in Fiscal Year 2026 from park patrons for annual pass purchases. Revenues from pass sales at Warm Mineral Springs Park are deposited into Warm Mineral Springs Fund account 125-0000-347-90-01. The only costs associated with providing annual passes are administrative.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance - First Reading
2. February 2, 2026 Meeting Minutes
3. March 2, 2026 Meeting Minutes
4. Business Impact Estimate
Prepared by: Tiffany Fowler, Accountant III
Department Director: Irina Kukharenko, CPA, Finance Director