County could increase park fees

by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

Clallam County officials could raise park and fair fees next year in an effort to increase revenue.

At the Nov. 1 Clallam County commissioners' work session, Parks, Fairs and Facilities Manager Joel Winborn presented a revised fee schedule that would generate $27,000 for parks and $11,875 for the fair.

The revised fee schedule would go before the public for a hearing before being adopted or rejected by the commissioners, Winborn said.

Clallam County Administrator Jim Jones said the hearing likely will be Dec. 14, the same day the commissioners will adopt a 2011 budget.

Under the proposed fee schedule, county residents would pay $17 per campsite at the Dungeness and Salt Creek campgrounds, an increase of $1, and nonresidents would pay $20, an increase of $2.

Camp David Jr. cabin rates also would increase by $2 to $4 a night for county residents and $5 to $7 for noncounty residents. There also are modest increases for staff duplexes and full camp use.

Fair admission would increase 50 cents for adults, students/seniors and youth daily admission. Season passes would increase $4 for adults and $1 for youth. The student/senior price would remain the same. Camping and hook-up fees for the fair campground also would increase.

Jones said the fee increases fit with the idea that the general public already is subsidizing the parks and fair and increasing costs should be covered by the people who use them.

As long as the prices are reasonable, the public should be receptive, he said.

Winborn said both the parks board and the fair board approved of the proposed fee increases.

Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.