PORT ANGELES — Clallam County park users and fairgoers will pay a little bit more next year under a current proposal to raise $38,875 in new revenue.
The three county commissioners will hold a public hearing before raising the park and fair fees effective next year.
The hearing will likely take place Dec. 14 — the same day the county adopts a 2011 budget.
If approved, the fee hikes would add an estimated $27,000 in parks revenue and $11,875 in fair receipts.
Joel Winborn, Clallam County parks, fair and facilities manager, said the park fees would affect camping, reservations, Camp David Jr. and picnic shelters.
The cost for county residents to camp at Dungeness and Salt Creek recreation areas at a standard campsite, for example, would increase from $16 to $17.
Noncounty residents would pay $20 instead of $18.
“Park fees haven’t been raised since they were approved in 2007 and implemented in 2008,” Winborn told commissioners in their Monday work session.
Fair fee increases
Proposed fee increases for the Clallam County Fair would affect admissions, camping and rentals.
Adults would pay $8 to enter the fair instead of $7.50.
Students and seniors would pay $6 instead of $5.50. Youths would pay $5 instead of $4.50.
An adult season pass would cost $24 instead of $20.
“The fair gate fee has not been increased since 2003,” Winborn said.
The county parks and fair boards have reviewed and recommended the proposal.
“There were no concerns from either board,” Winborn said.
All county departments have been asked to reduce their budgets by 3 percent — either through cuts or new revenue — to help offset a $2.6 million budget deficit in the county’s 2011 general fund.
County Administrator Jim Jones said the fee increases are “consistent with the overall idea that the general public is already subsidizing fairly substantially our overall effort here in our parks.”
User fees
“But the increase in costs should be covered by the people who are actually using it,” Jones said.
“And as long as we’re not gouging — we’re staying within what is real reasonable numbers — I think that generally gets supported by most folks.”
Commissioner Mike Chapman said the proposed $20 cost to reserve a picnic shelter at Salt Creek Park for a half day without amenities is an improvement over the current $40.
“I think that’s a good deal,” Chapman said.
To view the complete proposal, click on http://tiny.cc/r2wxu and download “Complete Worksession Packet.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
