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Seniors who use the Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center say they are upset with what they call unexpected, "outrageous" increases to membership and class fees. The center's advisory board suggests raising money in other ways, such as raffles, fees for computer use and charges for extended use of books and tapes.

The senior center offers classes, trips, special events, activities and a lunch program to Montgomery County residents 55 and older, and is funded by the city and county. Gaithersburg officials have pushed the county to increase its share of funding, given that an estimated 70 percent of users live outside the city.

Approximately 88 percent of the center's funding comes from the city of Gaithersburg, said the center's director, Grace Whipple, who said the county provides a $100,000 grant.

City leaders voted to increase fees to offset operational costs in the fiscal 2010 budget, which is effective July 1. As of Friday, the city Web site had not been updated to reflect the upcoming changes.

"This is positively outrageous!" Miriam Printz wrote in a letter to Mayor Sidney A. Katz. "These elderly seniors are living on their Social Security income. We are all facing hard times with the economy these days, but it is extremely burdensome on seniors."

She argued that other county-run senior centers in Montgomery County have no membership fee. Seniors receive a county-funded access card to county-run centers and do not pay for classes.

"We tried to be proactive; these are tough times for everybody," said Whipple. "We did some modest cuts. I don't think any seniors are going to feel it," she said.

The annual membership fee at the Gaithersburg senior center will rise from $30 to $40. Until now, the center has offered 25 free fitness classes specifically for seniors. Now, members will pay $1 per class. Membership has increased by at least one-third in three years, growing from more than 600 members to approximately 900 since 2006.

Officials found that center fees were lower than those in other cities, Whipple said. The Rockville Senior Center charges $2 to $3 per fitness class attended, she said.

Discounted fees for city seniors taking recreation classes offered through the city's recreation department will rise from $25 to $35 per class.

"Thirty dollars a year is a lot, but because you provide bus service (another fee) to certain functions, we feel this is fair," Printz said in her e-mail. The center does not give seniors anything free, Printz said, pointing to charges for classes and activities.

Annual membership fees cover "freebies" such as entertainment and lectures, Whipple said in her notice sent to members. Without spending another dollar, members can receive counseling, see a nurse, play billiards or cards, or take computer classes, she said. The fees cover special events, she said last week.

Printz suggested cutting back on performers and speakers to save cash.

The Senior Center Advisory Board also took issue. It sent a letter May 22 and June 4 to Parks and Recreation Director Michele Potter.

The board said in its June 4 letter that it has put together options to raise money, instead of increasing fees.

"It is critical that the city offers the option of some free daily exercise classes to maintain/improve the health of its seniors," the letter said.

The board suggested other means to increase senior center revenue, including: creating a fund, charging for computer classes and computer time, increasing the cost of trips to make up the difference, charging small fees for extended use of library books and tapes, starting weekly raffles using donated items, accepting voluntary donations to fund the exercise program, and closing the center once a week.