Pinellas may increase fees to close budget gap

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- It looks like Pinellas County residents may soon pay more for licenses and fees.

County commissioners are crunching budget numbers and fee increases look likely to help stop the financial bleeding.

According to Bay News 9's partner newspaper the St. Petersburg Times, going to the beach and getting a dog license are among the things residents could soon be paying more for as the county tries to come up with an additional $5 million.

Some issues proposed include:

Raising the fees to get into Fort DeSoto Park from $3 to $5.

Double the cost of pet licensing to $20.

The cost of a permit for cremation, dissection or burial at sea would go up to $40 from $35.

Fees would also be raised for building permits and reviews.

Commissioners have stressed the possible changes are only at the proposal stage and no vote on any increases has been scheduled.

Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!

Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.

Subscribe for free!

In-depth with Charlie Crist

crist Florida Gov. Charlie Crist responds to backlash from his own party, corruption in politics, critics who say he backtracked on supporting the federal stimulus, and much more. It's all Sunday on Political Connections at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.