Commissioners approve veteran discount and add active-duty eligibility for seasonal lakeshore vehicle permits

The Planning & Policy Committee voted to approve and forward to the full Board of Commissioners a proposed update to the county’s Parks motor vehicle permit schedule that adds a discounted annual lakeshore vehicle permit for veterans and, by amendment, for active-duty service members.

Kirk Trehire, park planner, explained that annual motor-vehicle permits (required for parking at select lakeshore parks and at Riverside Park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day) currently cost $25; the parks commission recommended matching the county senior resident discount and lowering the fee to $9 for county veterans. Commissioners amended the motion to include service members on active duty and discussed implementation via the parks’ online permit system because on-site fee machines cannot process the discount.

During the meeting commissioners asked whether the addition would materially affect parks revenue or permit projections; staff said the number of additional permits was expected to be small. The amendment to include active-duty service members was supported and passed on roll call; the amended motion then passed in committee on a subsequent roll call vote and will go to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval.

Ending: The committee approved the amendment and the motion and forwarded the updated motor vehicle permit policy (veteran and active-duty discount to $9) to the full board; staff will implement the change online and confirm whether multi-eligibility (senior plus veteran) affects pricing rules.