Residents may soon see fees at county parks and recreational facilities increase slightly this year, with many of the fees being adjusted for the first time in more than a decade, say county officials.

The Rockdale County Parks and Recreation division did a study on comparable county parks and facilities to see what was the going rate and found Rockdale's fees to be below many neighboring counties, said Recreation and Maintenance Department Director Jackie Lunsford at Tuesday night's Board of Commissioners work session. The fee increase would help the department cover administrative expenses of the facilities.

Out of the proposed fee changes, the use of Johnson Park and its pool would go from $2 to $3 a day, from $25 to $30 a month, and from $100 to $120 annually. Fees at Johnson Park had not been changed since 2001, she said. 

Some of the biggest adjustments would be in the booking of large facilities such as the Rockdale Auditorium, Pine Log Park, softball and baseball fields, gymnasiums and meeting rooms. Rockdale Auditorium would go to $90 per hour. Pine Log, Wheeler and South Rockdale park pavilions would be $55 for a half day and $90 for a full day. Athletic fields would be $45 per day without preparation from the county and $120 a day with preparation from the county, such as painting of lines.

Membership to the Olivia Haydel Senior Center would now be $25 a year. Previously, it was free. Lunsford said the study found that multi-use senior centers in DeKalb and Newton charged upwards of $40 a year. She said there would be consideration for seniors in need and on limited income.

For the full list of fees, see the PDF attached to this article. 

The Board of Commissioners will vote on the proposed fees at their Sept. 10 meeting, 10 a.m., 901 Main Street.