Scott Cross, director of the county’s Coastal Parks, told commissioners that park and pier revenues are recovering and that planned expansions could significantly increase revenue. Cross said the parks added RV capacity and tent camping plans that — based on current occupancy rates — could generate about $500,000 in additional annual revenue once the new sites open. He also reported Bob Hall Pier generated about $535,981 in pier revenue and said the pier’s full potential could be higher once the county completes renovations and negotiates a new concessionaire agreement for restaurant space.

Cross gave the court a five‑year revenue summary for multiple park assets (IB McGee Park, Padre Bay Park, Bob Hall Pier and Horace Caldwell Pier) to show seasonal patterns and hurricane impacts. He said Bob Hall Pier revenue dropped after 2020 because of storm damage but that pier gate revenue and concession revenues are rising again under a temporary concessionaire while the county prepares a request for proposals for a permanent restaurant and concession partner. Cross told the court he asked for an additional $200,000 in county support this year and said that with the planned site additions and a full reopening of pier concessions the parks could add roughly $800,000–$900,000 in net revenue over time.

Commissioners asked for more detail in the budget backup: Cross said he will supply historical revenue breakdowns by park, concession‑share terms for Bob Hall and the schedule for RFPs. Cross also noted the parks fund is managed separately and that revenue flows back to the coastal parks fund; he said the parks' near‑term capital and operating plans will be refined as concession negotiations and site permitting progress.

Ending: Commissioners thanked Cross for the report and asked staff to include the updated park revenue details in the county’s budget backup materials so the court can consider the parks’ requests alongside other FY26 priorities.