A Georgia state audit says the state isn’t raising enough money from its state park system, concluding that it needs to get more creative to increase revenue from customers and rely on a lower share of the state budget, according to 11 ALIVE.
A state audit suggests the state isn’t making enough money from renting yurts, cabins, camp sites and other park amenities.
The audit, produced by the state Department of Audits, says the state should:
- Adjust its campground prices to better reflect supply and demand
- Increase daily vehicle fees – $5 a day now – due to go up to $10 in January.
- Increase golf course fees for parks that have them.
It also says the state considers strategically updating accommodations at popular parks, such as Red Top, one of 40 state parks across Georgia. Currently, the audit says user fees cover only about half of the state parks system’s expenses. Taxpayer dollars fund the rest.
But higher user fees may turn off some visitors.
