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Holmes County commissioners set Lake Cassidy gate, decal system and resident fees
Summary
At a special meeting, the Holmes County Board of Commissioners approved building a gate at Lake Cassidy, instituted numbered vehicle decals and set a resident and out‑of‑state annual pass price to cover recurring maintenance and cleanup costs.
At a special meeting, the Holmes County Board of Commissioners approved allowing a local school contact to build a pair of gates at Lake Cassidy, adopted a numbered vehicle‑decal system and set annual pass prices of $50 for state residents and $150 for out‑of‑state residents.
The decisions aim to generate revenue to cover recurring maintenance at the county lake, including cleaning and porta‑potty service, and to give law enforcement an easier way to identify vehicles permitted on site.
Commissioners debated day passes, annual passes and enforcement for roughly two hours of public discussion. Speakers, including lake users and nearby residents, urged the board to balance affordability for locals with measures to deter misuse.
Dylan Skinner, who described how local volunteers and school personnel could fabricate and install two locking gates, said the school could supply materials and that "it won't be any cost" to the county for the gate hardware he described. The board moved and approved a motion to allow school personnel to build and install the gate.
The board discussed a two‑tier fee structure through multiple proposals. After extended public comment weighing $5, $10, $50 and $100 options and concerns about enforcement and fraud on honor systems, a commissioner moved to set the annual vehicle decal at $50 for in‑state residents and $150 for out‑of‑state residents and to print numbered, color‑coded stickers. That motion was seconded and adopted.
Commissioners also approved a plan to use numbered decals affixed to windshields so deputies could verify permits without having to search vehicles. The board discussed using Venmo as an online option for day passes and asked staff to explore adding Venmo payment instructions on the county website. Several speakers and commissioners said they expected the sheriff's office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to help with enforcement in the lake area.
Speakers noted recurring costs tied to the property. A member of the public told the board the lake currently carries about $8,467.50 in annual recurring cleanup costs; staff also referenced an estimate of roughly $8,400 for porta‑potty and cleaning service as part of the operating expense projections. Commissioners agreed to begin with the decal and annual‑pass approach and to revisit day passes and pricing next season if usage changes.
The board asked staff to create a decal numbering system and to return with implementation details at a future meeting. Commissioners instructed staff to coordinate with the clerk's office and sheriff on collection and enforcement procedures and to report back if adjustments are needed.
The county will begin producing decals and posting signage showing park hours and rules; the board’s action also included authorizing volunteers to open and close the gate at sunrise and sunset while the county pilots the program.
The board closed the Lake Cassidy discussion after directing staff to implement the decals and pricing and to return with operational details and enforcement plans for a subsequent meeting.
