Local

Volusia County leaders consider raising beach fees

There's an instant appeal to driving on the beach and Volusia County is one of the only places where you can do it.
But soon, it may cost double to do so..
The daily beach fees brought in $4.2 million to the county last year, and they’re projected to bring in $4.1 million this year, but the county wants to raise the daily fee to $20 a day from $10 a day.  
That’s projected to almost double its annual revenue to $8.5 million.
Tourist Robert Strickland is visiting from Georgia.
He said he would not have paid $20 to park on the beach.
“It’s a bit much to be able to drive on the beach,” he said.
County officials said the extra money would go toward opening up more beach ramps and would pay for trash pickup.
Some locals said they would pay the increased fee.
“Parking off the beach is hard to find, so I think people will still pay the $20,” said Daytona Beach resident Christa Matthews.
The annual pass fee for residents would not change.
The county will vote on the proposed hike Nov. 16.
If it passes, the change would take effect Jan. 1.