Dear City Council,
For decades, the City has underserved the Belle Haven community. Now we are facing a 36.36% jump in class fees at the Belle Haven Community Campus — from $33 to $45 — despite no increase in the variety of classes, no changes in instructors, and no visible program improvements.
This is the same pattern we have seen before. For example, the City once offered transportation services to our community only once a year, and then used the newspaper to highlight “low usage” — without acknowledging the lack of access in the first place.
Such decisions have real consequences. This latest fee increase will push low-income residents out of programs that enhance their quality of life and further limit access to resources that should be equitable and inclusive. Could you clarify the specific factors driving this increase? Or should we assume it was due to tariffs — since that would make about as much sense as the explanations we’ve heard so far?
The Belle Haven community deserves transparency, fairness, and investment — not policies that perpetuate inequities. I respectfully request a written response to this inquiry within 14 days so that residents have clarity and accountability on this matter.
Thank you,
Eduardo
