The Sunnyvale Sun

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City's financial help for the needy is shifting focus

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

The city of Sunnyvale budgeted close to $200,000 this fiscal year to provide fee waivers for residents, allowing low-income people to participate in community programs, sports leagues and other activities.

But as use of the waivers has increased, funding has not risen to match that demand. In fiscal 2004-05, the council recognized a change in the program was needed to ensure no staffing or programs would have to be cut to make up for the lack of funds.

Sept. 19, the Sunnyvale City Council--without council members John Howe or Melinda Hamilton--unanimously voted to make those changes, which means returning to the original intent of the program. While that will save money, it also means fewer residents will be able to use the program.

It works by providing fee waiver forms to residents who meet low-income requirements. Those forms are given in lieu of payment to programs, and the programs then submit those to the city for reimbursement.

Beginning with the next fiscal year, the program will be changed so 80 percent of all available funding goes toward youth, with the remaining 20 percent divided evenly between adults and seniors.

The staff report to council also says senior waivers are being cut because the majority of them were used for the already low-cost senior lunch program at the Sunnyvale Senior Center that can be made even more affordable with a $1.50 a month membership.

"The main focus is to get back to serving the youth of our Sunnyvale community but not fully cutting back the fee waiver for the other groups as well," said Arts Commissioner Charlie Fenton, who spoke at the meeting in support of the decision.

The issue had been discussed Aug. 29 in a joint Arts and Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, and both groups approved it, 4-1 for Parks and Rec and 3-2 for Arts.

Groups such as the Sunnyvale Soccer Alliance, which serves approximately 1,500 youth annually, will no longer qualify for reimbursement.

Alliance president Gary Lindford said the fee waiver program has benefits beyond helping children play soccer. He believes it helps keep Sunnyvale a clean, safe city by providing activities for youth.

"I think the question 'Where do you want to put your money?' is really what it comes down to," Lindford said. "You could give it to [athletic programs] or give it to the police to deal with the kids who fall through the gaps."

The number of youth sports organizations that use the fee waiver program has varied over the years, reaching its apex in 2004 and 2005 with nine groups before dropping to three groups last year. The reimbursements to those groups cost the city an average of $31,856 annually.

Susan Lundberg, treasurer of the soccer alliance, said the loss of the fee waivers for the program will most likely not reduce the number of participants, but will result in more money spent by the volunteer coaches, referees and other helpers. She estimated 10 percent of the league consists of players who can't afford the fees--$280 a year for the recreational league and $1,590 for the competitive side--but only about half those players use the fee waiver program.

The rest are paid for by their coaches or teammates who pay extra to make sure everyone can play.

"One way or another, everyone gets carried, but it's usually the coaches who have to pay," Lundberg said.