Stanislaus County looks to raise park entry fees for some. Inspection fees on the rise
Stanislaus County leaders on Tuesday will consider raising day use fees for parks — at least for out-of-county residents — and could approve fee increases for services in other county departments.
In addition to park fees, the county Board of Supervisors could approve fee increases or adjustments for environmental resources, public works, the agricultural commissioner and planning. The county routinely reviews the fee structure this time of year as staff members prepare the budget for the next fiscal year, starting July 1.
The proposed day-use fee is $20 per vehicle at Woodward and Modesto reservoirs for people who live in other counties. The entrance fees also will apply at the Frank Raines and La Grange off-road vehicle parks.
Stanislaus residents will keep paying $15 per vehicle to pass through the park gates. The increases would take effect June 23.
Nonresidents will pay $5 extra on top of the $10 boat fee at the reservoirs.
Camping fees will be $40 per night for nonresidents, up from $30. Camping will cost $35 per night for county residents, but the county no longer will charge $30 for a second vehicle at a campsite.
Fees will be $45 for out-of-county residents and $40 for county residents for campsites with hookups. The senior discount (age 62 and older) will be $20 per night, a $5 increase.
Annual passes will be $125 for one vehicle and $125 per boat, an increase of $25.
If approved, the regional park fees are going up for the first time in four years, said Jackie Dwyer, county parks and recreation director. She said the camping fees are comparable to the rates at Don Pedro reservoir, Lake McClure and Lake McSwain.
Dwyer said the costs of operating county parks has gone up along with the rising costs of cleaning supplies, gasoline and other expenses. The county also makes improvements to park and recreation facilities.
The county expects to take in $575,000 in additional revenue from the park fee increases.
Other fees will increase
The Department of Environmental Resources will raise fees for various services, including a 10% increase for body art studio health permits and artist registration. Other fee increases will affect the hazardous waste disclosure, underground tank and water programs.
The county is poised to raise building permit fees for different types of construction. The permit fee for a single-family home will increase by $288 (that’s $5,224 to a proposed $5,512). Fees for a tenant improvement and reroof will increase by $79 and $11.46, respectively.
The proposal includes a 5.5% increase in valuation-based fees. The higher permit fees, generating $135,000 in the next budget year, will cover salary increases and general operational costs, a county staff member says.
The agricultural commissioner is raising fees for five types of inspections and is adding two fees of $87 and $125 per hour for regulatory inspection of industrial hemp cultivation.
Under items for routine approval, the board could approve a $250,000 contribution to the nonprofit Modesto Children’s Museum. A county staff report says the contribution would add to $6.1 million pledged by donors to create the museum.
Another item is $450,000 to purchase a Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle for the county Sheriff’s Office for use by tactical teams. It would give the Sheriff’s Office a second armored vehicle, which enhances safety for tactical teams and may protect residents in a hostile situation.
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St., Modesto.
This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
