PINELLAS COUNTY, Florida - With complaints mounting as fast as new budget deficits, Pinellas commissioners have decided to institute $5 fees per vehicle entering two popular beach parks, beginning this fall.
Fort De Soto and Fred Howard Park are the county's only two parks with gulf access, but a looming $4.8 million deficit next year prompted a majority of commissioners to approve the fee. Each year, 2.8 million visitors head to Fort De Soto; 1.6 million visit Howard Park.
"We can just no longer afford to have those parks totally free," said Commissioner Ken Welch. "You can either cut more, raise property taxes, or charge a small fee...and we think the small fee is the best approach at this point."
You can either cut more, raise property taxes, or charge a small fee...and we think the small fee is the best approach at this point."
But Nancy Bostock and Norm Roche voted against the idea, claiming the fees were a slippery slope.
"From my perspective, once we do that, this concept could expand very quickly," Roche said. "These fees will never go away and they will only go up."
Roche suggested looking toward the county's tourist tax once Tropicana Field was paid off in 2015; using prisoners to help clean the beaches; or re-allocating money in the budget from other funds that aren't mandated by the county charter, as parks are.
Pedestrians and cyclists would still be allowed to enter the park for free, while seniors and low-income residents could get discounts. Season passes would be available for $75.
The Pinellas Co. Board of County Commissioners is likely to approve the fees officially this summer and they would likely take effect on October 1.
Connect with 10 News reporter Noah Pransky on either Facebook (www.facebook.com/noahpransky) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/noahpransky).
You Might Be Interested In