Ione – The Ione City Council last week voted to waive arena rental fees through the winter at the city-owned facility at Howard Park, in a move that would affect just 5 renters who board horses there. The council discussed the operations and lowering fees at the stable, attached to the city riding arena. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said it is “not a great facility but the location is great.” The council looked at the rental agreements for the stables, and Councilman David Plank noted that the contract did not have a “single rate,” on a “per horse basis.” Costs are $328 a month, including $130 for the barn with paddock, $60 a month for cleaning and feeding. City Manager Kim Kerr said it costs the city more to operate the riding facility and stables that it receives in revenue. Kerr in a report to the council said in the past, the “city has not been an active participant in maintaining the facility and has left it up to the renters to maintain the building and surrounding area.” But in the last 2 years, the city has “picked up the cost to maintain the Port-A-Potty at the stables,” for $65 a month. She said the city has always paid all electric and water utility bills at the building. One of the renters, Laurie Lord said she wanted to “cut to the chase,” saying the issue began last year when she requested that the council waive arena fees for the 5 boarders during four winter months. She said short daylight hours of winter, combined with heavy booking of the arenas, makes for shortened availability of access to the riding arena. Lord said she was unaware that the Port-A-Potty was in a usable condition, and assumed it was in a state of disrepair similar to when she first looked inside it. The rental fee for the arena of $35 was waived by the council on a 4-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel against it. Schaufel said: “We should not be talking about reducing rates, we should be talking about raising rates.” Kerr agreed, saying it is a money-losing proposition and the city should “try to get money where it can.” Plank moved to waive the arena rental fee for the 5 renters for the winter months of December through March, and the council passed that motion. Kerr said the city can issue arena passes to the 5 renters for that period of time. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.