TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

$5 Boat Launch Fee Is Coming In October

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: June 11, 2008

HOLIDAY - By the start of a new fiscal year on Oct. 1, boaters likely will begin paying $5 to launch a boat at Anclote River Park, Pasco's parks chief says.

The county already charges $5 for overnight docking there.

"State funds were used to build the park and boat ramps, therefore everyone using this facility will be treated equally," Department of Parks and Recreation Director Rick Buckman said. "We will probably do an annual pass, which will provide a discount for those who use the ramp a lot."

Although county commissioners approved the launch fee on March 25, many boaters only recently became aware of it as park crews began to install the machinery at Anclote River Park.

The Anclote River Park fee was among nearly five dozen park and recreation fee changes for campgrounds, swimming pools, sports recreation leagues, summer day camps and many more programs that have been heavily subsidized in the past.

The fee increases were inspired largely by the expectation that statewide property tax changes will result in less revenue for governments across Florida.

The increased user fees could generate an extra $400,000 for the county general fund, Buckman wrote in a memo in March.

"Charging a modest $5 boat trailer parking fee at Anclote River Park is estimated to generate approximately $80,000 per year," the memo said. "However, there will be an initial, one-time capital cost of about $8,600."
Buckman and his staff had researched fees charged by 20 other cities and counties in Florida to keep the Pasco fees at or below average, according to the memo.

Carl Orth can be reached at (727) 815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT