Fort De Soto, Sand Key and Fred Howard parking set to increase

State of play: Starting Dec. 1, the county will start charging $3.50 an hour with a $12 cap at the three beach parks. Boat ramp day rates are set to double to $12.

• Beginning Thursday, annual beach parking passes will increase from $75 to $95, while six-month passes will cost $60, up from $45. Annual boat ramp passes will increase from $110 to $140.
• Find the full list of rate changes, including low-income and military rates, here.

Follow the money: The increased fees are expected to bring in an additional $3.1 million per year that will go toward parks maintenance and improvements, per the county.

The big picture: The parking changes are part of the county's recently passed budget for the fiscal year starting Thursday.

• Although the property tax rate of $4.50 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable value is the lowest rate since 1989, the county still had to cut dozens of jobs and funding across departments.
• Rising costs, unfunded state mandates and slower revenue growth have contributed to a tight budget season for the county, with more challenges to come if voters approve the property tax overhaul on ballots in November.