Volusia County may raise fees at some parks

BEACON PHOTO/SARAHROSE MINISTERI
Gemini Springs — Rather than having improved camping facilities open at the Lake Monroe, Gemini Springs and Lake Ashby parks, the county may permit only “primitive camping” in those facilities. Primitive camping requires fewer county employees.

By Al Everson
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jan 18, 2010 - 11:32:55am

As Volusia County Council members work to reduce the cost and size of county government, the cost of operating parks and recreation programs is in their sights.

The County Council delved into the parks-and-recreation budget Jan. 7.

“What we’re really dealing with is a quality-of-life issue,” Council Member Jack Hayman said.

The county is eyeing possible changes in Leisure Services operations. Fees may go up at some more-popular parks, and unprofitable activities, such as camping, may be eliminated in some parks.

The council took no action on the recommendations Jan. 7, but changes may come later.

Leisure Services has a $10.1 million annual budget, and almost $7 million of that comes from the county’s general fund. The remaining $3 million comes from park impact fees imposed on new homes built in the unincorporated areas of the county, and from park-admission charges, and rental fees for pavilions, ball fields and campsites.

The park impact fees dropped sharply in the past two or three years, tracking the falloff in homebuilding. But park impact fees aren’t used to operate parks or their programs. By law, they may be used only for capital improvements, including the development of new parks.

Officials are looking for ways to cut costs and/or net more revenues.

Changes proposed by the county administration would have produced about $1 million in savings and new revenue, but County Council members signaled they are interested in aiming for about half that amount.

The prospect of change comes as more people are using county parks, which offer an affordable alternative to big-name amusement parks or extensive travel.

“These are tough economic times, and instead of going to Disney, people are saying, ‘We have lovely parks. Let’s go,’” Council Member Carl Persis said.

One county park that is seeing an uptick in usage — but is losing money — is Strickland Shooting Range near Daytona Beach. Strickland Range charges marksmen $5 per day for target practice. The revenues last year amounted to approximately $100,000, but the county paid approximately $170,000 to keep the range open.

“You’re providing a great service at great cost, and you’re losing money,” said Harry Lorick, a consultant who analyzed parks-and-recreation services and programs for the county.

Lorick recommended the county raise the shooting-range fee to $10 per day.

“That really is the charge for someone to discharge a firearm safely,” he said.

Council members also learned camping in three county parks is a losing proposition for county government. Rather than having improved camping facilities open at the Lake Monroe, Gemini Springs and Lake Ashby parks, the county may permit only “primitive camping” in those facilities. Primitive camping requires fewer county employees.

“You shouldn’t be losing money for people to come and camp there,” Lorick said.

The county may also quit maintaining city parks, including one in Pierson.

“Pierson is a small municipality,” Town Clerk Debbie Bass told the County Council.

She said the $60,000 annual cost of keeping up Pierson Town Park is quite high, adding, “Pierson’s general fund is $718,000.”

“The Northwest Little League probably uses that park the most,” Bass said. “We have a lot of residents who do come in, minority residents. ... I think that would really be detrimental to that community.”

The council was reluctant to endorse handing off the park to the the Town of Pierson, because of the prospect of hardships in the rural area.

The council was also unwilling to consider ending its agreement with the Volusia School District for the use of certain schools for youth athletics. The county pays the school system to allow sports teams to use ball fields at certain schools, such as Southwestern Middle and DeLand Middle.

The school ball fields are listed as parks in the county’s state-mandated growth-management plan. Approximately 44,000 youngsters use the facilities. If the council dropped the schools as parks, it would have to amend its comprehensive plan and submit the change for review by the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

“The school system is in desperate shape,” County Chair Frank Bruno said, in defense of the arrangement. “They’re using stimulus money right now, and that’s going to run out in two years. The state is not giving them the money they need.”

Any changes in fees at the parks will be voted on by the County Council, and may go into effect later this year.

— al@beacononlinenews.com

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