Fees to rise for golf, camping, beach entry

Suffolk County legislators on Tuesday approved more than $750,000 in new parks fees for golfing, camping, hunting and entry to county beaches.

The measure, proposed by County Executive Steve Bellone as part of an effort to balance the county budget, will hike park fees by about 10 percent across the board, and bring in $764,456 in new revenue.

Under the legislation:

• The cost of a Green Key, which provides reduced admission to parks for county residents, will rise from $24 to $26. The discounted rate for residents 60 and older, veterans and volunteer firefighters will rise from $11 to $13.
• Parking at beaches such as Smith Point and Cupsogue will go from $8 to $9 for residents and from $15 to $16 for nonresidents.
• Parking at other county parks, including Cathedral Pines in Middle Island and Lake Ronkonkoma, will increase from $6 to $7 for county residents.
• Deer hunting permits will rise from $35 to $38 for residents, while outer beach recreational vehicle permits will go from $93 to $100. There also is a $38 fee for falconry and $30 for raccoon hunting.

While some lawmakers had questioned the fee hikes, administration officials said residents still will have access to county facilities at a reasonable price.

Money from the fee increases is included in the 2016 budget passed by the legislature and signed by Bellone.

The fee increases will go into effect Jan. 1. The measure passed by a vote of 10-7.