Presenter: Ernie Gammage

Commission Agenda Item No. 5
Action
Facility Use Fees at Parrie Haynes Ranch
May 2008

I. Executive Summary: The item presents for adoption a proposed amendment the fee schedule on Parrie Haynes Ranch. The proposed amendment: implements fees in greater detail based on facility use and type of use; increases fee ranges; and waives fees for volunteers and volunteer groups.

II. Discussion: Under Parks and Wildlife Code, §11.027, the Commission by rule may establish and provide for the collection of a fee for entering, reserving, or using a facility or property owned or managed by the department. The Parrie Haynes Ranch is leased from the Texas Youth Commission and managed by the Department as an outdoor learning youth center, conference, environmental, and equestrian facility. It is a 4,525-acre ranch with natural settings for groups of all kinds to meet, learn, and recreate in the Texas outdoors.

The current fee ranges specified by rule are insufficient to recover a reasonable portion of the cost of operating the facility. The proposed rules will reconfigure the current fee structure to allow the Department to recover a greater percentage of operational expenses while continuing to provide affordable use for organizations and entities whose usage is consonant with the Department's mission.

Staff was authorized at the March 26, 2008, meeting of the Regulations Committee to publish the proposed amendment for public comment in the Texas Register. The proposed amendment appeared in the April 18, 2008, issue of the Texas Register (33 TexReg 3161). A summary of public comment on the proposed amendment will be presented at the time of the hearing.

III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts a proposed amendment to 31 TAC §53.30, concerning Facility Admission and Use Fees (located at Exhibit A), with changes as necessary to the proposed text as published in the April 18, 2008, issue of the Texas Register (33 TexReg 3161)."

Attachments - 1

  1. Exhibit A - Parrie Haynes Ranch Fee Rules