By Staff
Charges for reserved use of city park facilities and cemetery fees will be increased 3 percent April 1 and 3.5 percent May 1, respectively, as a result of action Monday night by Dowagiac City Council.
Dowagiac reviews and adjusts park fees annually in an attempt to recover actual costs for field preparation, litter collection and lighting.
Rates need to be adjusted to cover wage increases for non-union Grounds Department employees who perform park maintenance and prepare fields.
Proposed rates do not impact American Legion, Connie Mack or Dowagiac Boys Baseball Senior League play.
Cemetery fee increases follow the same rationale.
Nelson said rates are still "comparable or better than other cemeteries in the area that provide similar or lesser levels of service and maintenance."
Cemetery Board members recommended small annual adjustments to fees so long as rates stay comparable to other similar area cemeteries.