Pier may lower price for passes

County officials are considering lowering pass fares for the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, among other changes.

Dorothy Slye, owner of Pier, Inc. made a presentation to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners June 20, requesting the county consider lowering rates for annual passes, issuing special passes for non- veteran handicapped, and installing new air conditioning systems for the pier store.

Commissioner Don Salter said there does need to be a way for more children to access the pier and enjoy it.

Commissioner Bob Cole said he was concerned about what would constitute a “family” if they lowered family pass rates to encourage more children coming to the pier.

“I support lowering our pass (rate); the only problem we do have is accountability supporting the family pass because families vary. Someone could jump in a car and bring a whole busload of “family” down and try to use one pass,” said Cole.

Commission Chairman Lane Lynchard said there may be ways around that such as having the parents list who is in the family when the family pass is issued. 

Other people from the public had requests for the board as well.

For more on this story, see the June 23 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.