Township Councilmen Recommend Increase in Recreation Fees, Larger Increase for Football

Washington Township councilmen recommended a $5 increase to all recreational sports programs and a $20 increase to football during the budget meeting Friday. The measure is expected to be introduced at the council meeting Monday.

The $5 increase across the board is being suggested because of the online registration that is now being offered. There are additional costs for the township associated with the system, even for those who choose to register in person because the information is still input online.

The additional $15 increase for football, which would bring the fee to $175, was suggested because members of the council said football costs exceed that of other sports. Council President Fred Goetz said the football program costs about $450 per child.

Council members attributed the higher costs to more safety equipment, such as helmet refurbishing, that other sports don't incur.

"We know we're not going to be proportional with football I don't think ever because we're so out of whack," Goetz said.

Councilman Richard Hrbek said he believes the funding should be a percentage of the program, pointing out that there are discrepancies. He said football covers 20 percent of the program while basketball covers more than 100 percent.

"We don't have to cover all the costs for the sports but it should be a percentage," Hrbek said.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the , 350 Hudson Ave. Council members expect to introduce the fee increases then.