DIDSBURY - Town council is expected Tuesday to consider fee increases for Didsbury Out of School Care Association (DOSCA) and the Didsbury Summer Fun programs.
Last month, town council considered updated service fees and rates for the programs and forwarded them to committee for consideration.
In a briefing note to council, administration recommended adding a one-time DOSCA registration fee of $25 per family, and a minor change to the hourly rate, increasing to $9 per hour from the previous rate of $8.50 per hour.
It has now been recommended that no registration fee be implemented.
“Additionally, we are proposing a full-week and a four-day option, which would be utilized during school breaks,” said the town's chief administrative officer Ethan Gorner.
Administration also recommended adding a one-time registration fee of $5 per child per year for the Summer Fun program.
At the Nov. 28 council meeting, council discussed the proposed registration fee for the Summer Fun program and the majority felt that it should be removed from the rates and fees.
“There are minor increases to the weekly rates, as well as to the field trip and daily rates. Additionally, we are proposing a four-day option, as there is demand for a short week choice for families. The proposed charges would be effective Jan. 1, 2024.”
The rate increases are proposed for several reasons, including increased program costs overall from staffing, supplies and rentals, increase Summer Fun program field trip costs from bus and entrance fees and staffing ration requirements, he said.
Other reasons include “administrative time required to set up new registrations within our systems, manage contracts and submit subsidy request to Alberta Children’s Services,” he said.
Regarding DOSCA, the four-day fee rate would be $170/week, and the weekly fee will be $200.
Regarding the Summer Fun program, the weekly early bird fee would be $190 per week until June 14, the weekly fee would be $200 after June 14, the four day fee would be $170 per week, the daily drop in fee would be $55, up from $50, and the field trip drop-in fee would be $75 per day, up from $65 per day.
