COUNTYWIDE : County Increases Recreational Fees

The Board of Supervisors approved increases in fees Tuesday for most county campgrounds and marinas, but delayed a fee increase for commercial fishermen at county-owned Channel Islands Harbor.

“A lot of promises have been made over the last 10 or 12 years, and progress has been very slow,” Brian Jenison, vice president of the Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Assn., told the supervisors.

The board delayed increasing the fishermen’s slip fees until the county fulfills more of its promises, such as construction of an ice storage locker and a building where fish could be sold.

A chief complaint among fishermen was that they have to wait for hours to unload their catches because a promised second fish hoist has not been installed at the harbor.

“When we have to go out and brave the elements to feed our families and crew . . . we’d like to be able to unload,” Jenison said.

The supervisors did approve an increase in the overnight beach camping fee, which went up $1 a night, and in slip fees at the county’s two marinas, which increased by $15 per month for small pleasure boats.

The increases were the first in Ventura County in 14 months and will raise an additional $95,000 for recreation every year, county officials said.

“All of our operations are financed through user fees,” said Blake Boyle, manager of recreation services. “We have no tax support.”

Fees for large groups at picnic grounds were increased $10, as were fees for the county’s equestrian arena.

Boat slip fees for commercial fishing were to go up about 65 cents to $6.12 a foot per month, and recreational boat docking fees were increased 69 cents to $6.40 a foot.