Calabasas City Council tries to rein in costly senior center

Fees lowered, shortfall remains



Calabasas officials lowered a proposed $25 monthly fee to use the city’s new senior center in response to elderly residents who felt the membership cost was too high.

Under a revised plan, membership fees will be paid not monthly, but yearly, and will cost $100 for individuals and $125 for couples. The original fee amounted to $300 a year,

Space permitting, nonresidents can join for $150 a year and couples for $175.

The city is scrambling to recover some of the costs to run the 9,500-square-foot senior center, which will provide a gathering place and programs for adults over the age of 50.

The $4.5-million facility is more than $110,000 over budget due to construction cost overruns, according to reports.

Responding to the concern over fees, the City Council told city staff and senior advisory board members to review the senior center budget, particularly with regard to staffing.

Initial estimates showed that Calabasas would need $680,000 a year to run the center and pay for its employees. The council felt staffing costs were too high and a major reason for the inflated membership fees.

On Feb. 10, city staff presented a revised budget that saves an estimated $178,000 in annual personnel costs. Instead of multiple new hires, two current park and recreation employees will be reassigned to the senior center, among other moves.

A $447,000 total annual shortfall was reduced to $195,000, said Jeff Rubin, Calabasas Community Services director.

Members will have priority access to classes and programs, and they will receive six guest passes per year. They can also rent the facility at a reduced rate and enjoy two free lectures each year.

Even residents who are not members will have priority over nonresidents when registering for classes and programs.

Nonmember residents can pay $3 for daily use and nonresidents will pay $5.

The new membership fee model will be brought back to the City Council for a final vote in March.

The facility is expected to open this summer.



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