An ensemble of actors, musicians and other members of the group showed up at the council meeting to vehemently protest a proposed fee increase for the rental of the city's civic theater.

The city of Saratoga is increasing its fees for the next fiscal year in an effort to make city departments and organizations more cost effective. The increase in rental fees for the civic theater is one of many increases proposed.

At the meeting, the council approved most of the new increases but agreed to look at the fee schedule for the civic theater again. The group will now work with Joan Pisani, the city's recreation director, to work out a more amicable fee schedule for the next season.

According to the proposed fee schedule, the rent for the civic theater on the day of a performance would go up to $350 from $300. A rehearsal at the theater would cost $150 a day instead of $105.

A $1 surcharge that is levied for every ticket sold by a performing group would go up to $2.

Paul Buszkiewicz, an actor, pleaded with the city not to increase the fee so drastically. "We are already in a situation where the support for culture and arts seem to be dwindling," he said.

Charles Michael Traw, chairman of the group, said that a massive fee increase might even force the group out of the facility. "All our of programs and schedules for the upcoming season have been printed," Traw said.

"I am appalled by the huge fee increase," said Roberta Savage, another person associated with the group.

The Saratoga Drama Group uses the civic theater for rehearsals and performances for about 125 days every year.

When the discussion moved to the council, Councilman Nick Streit said that every group in the city would have to take a hit because of the tight budget situation. "These fees are here to stay. It's just the nature of the game," he said.

Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith requested that the fee increase for the civic theater be delayed until the next cycle.

Ultimately, the council decided that city staff would talk to the Saratoga Drama Group to work out a solution.

During the discussion, Streit and Vice Mayor Norman Kline also objected to the proposed water heater replacement fee which had been raised to $78 from $35.

"My concern is that we are dealing with a safety issue here. It should be cheaper to replace a water heater," Streit said.

Mayor Kathleen King said later city staff would look into the proposed hike in the water heater replacement fee and come up with a more affordable charge.

Streit also spoke against the increases in fees for design review approval. "People might be tempted to make changes to their houses without getting the planning department's permission," he said.

Fees for most city services and facilities will rise on July 1.

A complete list of the fee increases is available at the city manager's office at 13777 Fruitvale Ave.