ACTION LINE: RV storage lot rates increase

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Question: Why did the recent hike in the price of the RV parking increase 50 percent? Isn't there a law governing how much they can increase rent and aren't they required to give some notification to the renters? 

I understand that they use this money to cover expenses for other Morale, Welfare and Recreation events, but the fact that they can just increase rates on a whim is ridiculous. They were doing fine with the amount of money they were getting for the spaces. It seems that they are changing the rates using the supply and demand approach. I understand that in the civilian sector, but they shouldn't be doing that on the military base. 

Is there any cap to what they can charge us or are they free to increase it as much as they want?

Response: Thank you for the opportunity to address your concerns.

When setting fees for all 3rd Services Squadron activities, including the RV storage lots, the overall goal is to provide customers with the most value for their money. Fees and rate increases are not governed by law, but they are heavily scrutinized by senior leadership and are only done out of necessity.

Before implementing this recent increase, the 3rd SVS staff conducted two years of research and found Elmendorf's RV storage lot fees averaged 60-75 percent less than off-base rates and 50 percent less than Fort Richardson's rates. They invested much money in expanding and improving Elmendorf's RV storage lot capacity to meet the demand of our active-duty and retired military community. 

In 2008 alone, more than $161,000 was spent on equipment and improvement projects for RV storage lots, with another expansion project starting this spring and more improvements scheduled for the future. For this rate change, the monthly rates increased from 50 cents per foot to 75 cents per foot. A 10-foot space increased from $5 per month to $7.50 per month. The 30-foot space increased from $15 per month to $22.50 per month.

After the 3rd SVS staff determined a fee increase was justified and required, it advertised in the Sourdough Sentinel, the Screaming Eagle, and various other flyers. Posters were hung on the lot entrance gates and the Outdoor Recreation staff, who manage the lots, informed customers, in person and over the telephone, when they called or stopped in to pay their monthly fees.

In this case, I feel the rate increase was justified by the cost of the improvements that have been made and the quality of service we continue to provide. Your business is very much appreciated. The 3rd SVS staff looks look forward to serving you in the future.