Council raises community center rates, revises deposit policy

The City Council has approved raising rental and changing the deposits policy for the two Eunice community centers in part to minimize loss when prospective renters back out.
Rent at the Northwest Center was increased to $275 from $225 and the Southeast Center rent was raised to $150 from $125.
Additionally, the fee for the Northwest Shower Room increased to $65 from the current $50.
Reservations made for the centers prior to the rate change will be honored at the old rate.
Mayor Rusty Moody told the council at its agenda-setting session last week that the charge in part reflects repairs recently made to the centers. The city has spent about $40,000 on those repairs.
Under the current policy, the centers are sometimes booked months in advance of an event and then when it is time for the deposit to be made (up to 30 days before event) the renter decides he/she no longer wants the facility.
The problem for the city then is that it is often too late to rent the facility for the planned date because most arrangements are made far in advance and the city eats the loss of that rental date.
Under the new policy, the deposit, $100 or $50 depending on the facility, must be paid and a contract signed before the date is held.
If a cancellation occurs before 30 days prior, the deposit will be refunded in full; if not, the deposit is forfeited despite cancellation.
The earlier contract-signing, deposit date also allows the prospective renter to be fully familiar with rules and regulations and if there is an issue still have time to consider an alternative site.
Deposits are returned after events provided there are no damages or violations of the rental agreement.
Other rates for facilities include:
Northwest Pavilion and bathrooms, $50 for bathrooms, $100 for pavilion;
American Legion Hall, $100 deposit and $110 rental;
‘Church” Rate for both centers, $100 deposit and $100 rental.
Those rates are not changed under the new schedule.
The vote to change the rates was unanimous.