PORT TOWNSEND — Camping and youth sports fees could increase 25 percent next year under a preliminary budget proposal from the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department.
“We’re looking at all our recreational program fees as a way of increasing revenues,” Parks and Recreation Director Warren Steurer said Thursday.
“We have to capture more of our actual operating expense.”
Given county budget shortfalls, Steurer said his department must find ways to cover a projected operating deficit of $18,000 for 2003 to maintain operation of the parks at current levels.
Rates for rentals and concessions will also be affected, Steurer said.
“We’re trying to retain a level of service that works and maintain the status quo,” Steurer said.
If the increases are approved, camping fees — now $8 a night — will increase between 10 percent and 25 percent, Steurer said.
The county operates 91 campsites at four county parks — Lake Leland, Oak Bay, Chimacum and Quilcene.
Fees for youth soccer and basketball will increase from $25 to $35 under the proposal, he said.
Between 300 and 400 children in kindergarten through sixth-grade participate in each of the two programs annually, Steurer said.
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