Money Talks
In an effort to balance its budget, the City of Santa Barbara
may pass off up to $150,000 of beach maintenance and cleaning
fees – currently shouldered by the Parks and Recreation
Department – to the Waterfront District. To absorb the blow, the
district may increase slip and/or parking fees, a measure likely to
provoke outspoken criticism from boat owners. Councilmember Das
Williams, who proposed redistributing beach-related costs,
suggested that higher parking fees might discourage City College
students from using the beach lots, leaving more spaces for
tourists and others likely to generate waterfront revenue.