Programs and Rental Fees Rising Across the Village

There won't be any free lunches in the village and given the rapid rise of service and program fees, they shouldn't be expected. Within the past month, village government bodies have either enacted or proposed rate hikes for selected usage of the library, higher badge fees at Graydon and at summer camp, as well as an uptick for renting rooms at Village Hall.

Ridgewood users of Graydon pool in 2011, as renewal badges for adults will be $82 and after early bird specials are up (from May 1 to May 22), fees rise to $87 for adults and $77 for kids should an introduced ordinance be passed.

By 2012, costs spike again–most will be paying over $100 for a seasonal pass. The village hopes better promotion and more interest from outside municipalities will help close the budget gap and minimize the need for even greater tax increases. The village also introduced an ordinance to raise summer camp fees by $50 to $500 in 2011.

At Village Hall, the youth center, senior lounge or garden room will have to apply at least a month beforehand while also being subjected to greater fees.

Village government-based groups won't see an increase aside from a security charge for off hours but charities in town will be paying a range of $30 to $70 for one hour, and with incremental costs for additional hours.

Any other citizen or group drops a few big bills for two hours ($150) and $45 per hour thereafter. Non-residents will have to drop $200 per hour and even more for a shot at a Village Hall room.

Given the cost of cleanup and that kids can occasionally break things, a $100 security deposit is proposed in renting out the Anne Zusy Youth Center, which would be returned provided things are in tip-top shape, Gabbert said at a council meeting in January.

The library will be to segregate for-profit enterprises to a cordoned off "Private Business Center" that library officials say will clear public tables for, well, the public, while cashing in on those making money off the library.

The fee runs anywhere from hourly rates for a table under $20 to $100 per hour depending on the type of business.

While the village continues to take steps to bring in revenue it can for services, it's nothing new for other village institutions in times of unprecedented fiscal challenges.

The school board raised fees to its Community School programs and Assistant Superintendent for Business Angelo DeSimone reported that the school is the district expected. Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein said he expects the district to break even (about $800,000) given that programs are more popular in the spring.

By spring, the effects of some of the village's proposed and enacted cuts may bloom too.