HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-Comment - Christian HernandezFrom: noreplly(a aranicusideas.com
To: Yasuda. Erica; Woodward. Carrie; E-Comments
Subject: New eComment for Regular Meeting of the City Council/Special Closed Session-5:30 pm/Regular Meeting-6:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 4:24:41 PM
City of Tustin. CA
New eComment for Regular Meeting of the City
Council/Special Closed Session-5:30 pm/Regular
Meeting-6:00 pm
Guest User submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: Regular Meeting of the City Council/Special Closed Session-5:30 pm/Regular Meeting-
6:00 pm
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AND COST ALLOCATION PLAN The City's last Comprehensive User Fee Study was adopted in
2021 and the user fees have been adjusted annually based on a change in the Consumer Price
Index (CPI). However, the City has not formally adopted a Cost Allocation Plan, which limits the
City's ability to achieve full cost recovery of specific services. Industry's best practice
recommends that a comprehensive review of service costs and fees be performed every three to
five years. The City recently completed a new Comprehensive User Fee Study and Cost
Allocation Plan (collectively "Studies") to determine the current costs of providing specific
services with the goal of ensuring that the user fees and charges do not exceed the costs of
providing these services. The Mayor -appointed User Fee Ad Hoc Committee, composed of
Councilmembers Ryan Gallagher and Lee Fink, reviewed the results of the Studies and upon
receiving a recommendation by the consultant hired by City staff, and staff, recommended that
the City Council proceed with a public hearing to consider adopting the Proposed 2026
Comprehensive User Fee Schedule, which incorporates the Studies' results. If approved, the
new user fees will take effect on April 1, 2026.
eComment: Good Evening Mayor and Council Members, My name is Christian Hernandez and I
am the president of Tustin Girls Softball. As president of a local youth sports organization, I
respectfully urge the City of Tustin to reconsider the proposed increase of field permit fees to $14
per hour for resident nonprofit organizations like TGS. This would be the third consecutive year
such increases occur in the City. TGS strives to keep fees low each season to allow for families
to join the league and fall in love with the sport of softball. Our program exists to provide safe,
positive, and affordable opportunities for children to be active, learn teamwork, and build
confidence. Even modest fee increases can significantly impact families, particularly those with
multiple participants or limited financial means, and may ultimately reduce participation in
programs that are designed to serve the community. We recognize and appreciate the City's
responsibility to manage rising costs and operate sustainably. We respectfully ask that the City
explore alternative funding strategies, phased adjustments, or partnerships that would allow
youth sports to remain accessible while still meeting operational needs. TGS currently spends
approximately $20,000 to $25,000 in field fees each year in addition to maintenance expenses to
upkeep the fields. I'd urge the Council to seek alternatives to raising field fees for youth non-
profit programs, possibly reducing the costs and creating a "partnership" model for local
programs like Tustin Pony, Tustin Little League, and Tustin Girls Softball. If those options aren't
feasible, Council can explore waiving fee's for league tournaments which serve as a fundraiser
to offset field fees. Thank you for your continued support of youth sports and for considering the
perspectives of the organizations and families directly serving our community. Christian
Hernandez
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