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Deerfield Beach sets pier pricing: free for residents, veterans and first responders; $2 visitors, $4 fishing
Summary
After a staff presentation on attendance and revenue, the commission approved a new pier fee structure: free sightseeing for residents, veterans and first responders with ID; $2 for nonresidents; fishing admission set at $4. City attorney said a resolution will formalize the change.
The Deerfield Beach City Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 3 to change admission rules for the International Fishing Pier, approving free sightseeing access for city residents, veterans and first responders with ID, a $2 fee for nonresidents, and a $4 fishing admission.
Parks and Recreation Director Greg Warner presented attendance and revenue figures to frame the discussion: using fiscal-year 2024 data extrapolated to a 12-month estimate, Warner reported approximately 132,000 sightseers and about 21,500 fishermen annually, and projected roughly $345,000 in annual pier revenue under the previously approved fee schedule. He said a full waiver of all site-seers at $2 each would reduce revenue by an estimated $264,192 per year; waiving fees only for residents would reduce revenue by an estimated $31,703.
Commissioner Hudak moved to retain the existing $2 sightseeing and $4 fishing structure, then amended the motion after debate to the adopted compromise granting free sightseeing for residents, veterans and first responders (with ID), $2 for other visitors and $4 for fishing. Vice Mayor Preston seconded the amendment and the roll call vote was unanimous in favor.
The public comment record on the pier item included multiple residents urging free access for local taxpayers as a quality-of-life and marketing measure; several residents said resident revenue contribution to the pier was small and that free access could spur local business activity. Business and resident advocates also proposed season passes and a "Grow Deerfield Beach" discount card to target frequent users.
City Attorney noted that the current fee schedule was adopted by resolution and that the commission will need to return with a formal resolution at the next meeting to amend the fee schedule accordingly. Staff said they can meet with commissioners in the intervening weeks to discuss operational details, enforcement and any adjustments to ensure the gate operation can handle resident verification.
Next steps: staff will prepare a resolution to amend the adopted fee schedule and return it to the commission for formal adoption; staff also offered to provide further operational details and to coordinate meetings with commissioners before the next meeting.
