City lowers facility rental rates

Maricopa discounted city facility rental rates for residents, slashing them 35% last week.

The city expects the reduced rates to be well-received by some Maricopa residents who complained about unreasonable prices for the use of spaces built with taxpayer money.

“After careful consideration and valuable input from the public at two city council meetings and a work session, the council this week officially adopted this new policy,” the city said in a statement Thursday.

Several residents told InMaricopa city facilities have long felt out of reach. The Maricopa Pumas groused about the $800 monthly tag to rent two fields for its youth football and cheer group.

In 2021, costs to rent the city’s great lawn, two rooms, tables, chairs and a stage ran local nonprofit Relay for Life nearly $2,000, Jamie Harrison told InMaricopa.

Pricing skyrocketed even higher last year, Harrison said.

City officials, however, said that should change in the final chapter of 2023.

City spokesperson Luis Vila said the decrease in residential rates aims to offer nonprofits and local businesses “a bit of a break.”

Vila said past rate increases were in line with year-over-year bumps in living costs.

While residents will see the highest rate cuts, city facilities rates have been further adjusted as follows:

• Maricopa businesses will continue with existing residential rates, which have become the new base rate. City officials said the adjustment will “ensure our local businesses remain competitive and supported by fair pricing.”
• Nonresident fees will be set at 200% of the base rate. The rate will be subject to a 60-day posting period and council consideration at the Dec. 5 meeting.
• The new classifications for room rentals will provide city staff with new data, officials said. “This data will be instrumental in discussions during future planning for the next fiscal year, where we will assess the policy’s impact and determine if further modifications are needed to best meet the evolving needs of our community.”

For more information about facility rentals in Maricopa, look out for a deep dive in our next issue hitting the newsstands Nov. 1.