August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Despite concerns voiced by community members, Lawrence city commissioners voted to approve a budget that will include fees for residents to use rec centers, take a fire engine offline and increase the property tax rate.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will likely decide how much city property taxes will increase and how much to charge residents to use the rec centers.
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday heard from dozens about the 2026 budget, which will raise property taxes. They asked to add items during a conversation reminiscent of others in recent months, but now final budget approval is coming in two weeks.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
A longtime member of Lawrence’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has stepped down, citing among many concerns that she felt the board’s recommendation against the city charging fees to use rec centers has been effectively buried.
Lawrence’s Parks and Rec Advisory Board voted 4-3 to make a stronger statement to the city commission against a proposal to implement fees for residents to use Lawrence’s recreation centers.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
A majority of Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday said they’d support charging residents fees to use recreation centers.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Members of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday said they would not be representing the community if they did not oppose a proposal to charge fees to use the city’s recreation centers.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Annual memberships to use Lawrence’s recreation centers — currently admission-free — will cost $250 per adult, or $150 per senior or youth, if the Parks and Recreation department’s proposal is approved.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence Parks and Recreation staff members won’t share the actual proposed prices for rec center memberships until next month, but they did share further details and plans with advisory board members Monday.
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Members of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday will hear a presentation on the city’s proposal to implement membership fees to use rec centers.
