To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Meda Freeman, (707) 565-2275
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All Districts
Title:
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Regional Parks Day Use Fee Waiver to Honor Veterans
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve waiver of Sonoma County Regional Parks day use fees for an annual Veterans Day holiday promotion and direct staff to bring back a standing waiver as part of next year’s approval of regional park fees. This approval gives Regional Parks authority to waive day use fees for eligible veterans and military members on the Nov. 11 holiday and for several days leading up to or following the holiday.
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Executive Summary:
As part of Sonoma County’s annual recognition of veterans, Regional Parks recommends it have standing approval to waive day use fees each year for veterans and their dependents on the Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday and one adjacent weekend period. For 2020, the fee waiver will include the period of Saturday, Nov. 7, through Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Discussion:
Veterans Day was established in 1919 as Armistice Day to commemorate the signing of the peace agreement that ended World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Veterans Day has been set aside as a federal, state, and county holiday to honor American service members who answered the call of duty.
For eligible individuals, Regional Parks recommends waiver of day use fees at all parks operated by Sonoma County for the Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday and either the weekend period before or after the holiday. This gesture will help recognize the contributions of the more than 27,000 Sonoma County veterans and their families. Through their military service, individual sacrifice and family sacrifice, these individuals have provided a valuable public benefit to the citizens of Sonoma County and the United States. Veterans and active duty military members and dependents will be eligible for a waiver of the day use fee ($7 per vehicle). All other county park fees (e.g. camping, picnic area rental, etc.) will apply.
A Veterans Day holiday pass will be provided to all individuals (both county and out-of-county residents) who present a valid U.S. military identification card, honorable discharge record (DD-214 or World War II service record), Veterans Affairs identification card or Veterans ID card issued by the Sonoma County Veterans Service Office. Individuals can present their eligibility and receive a pass from a park ranger, a park fee station attendant, staff at Regional Parks’ main office or staff at the county’s Veterans Service Office.
Prior Board Actions:
10/22/19: the Board of Supervisors approved the request for waiving day use fees eligible military personnel and dependents for Veterans Day weekend; 10/23/2018: the Board of Supervisors approved the request for waiving day use fees eligible military personnel and dependents for Veterans Day weekend; 11/07/2017: the Board of Supervisors approved the request for waiving day use fees eligible military personnel and dependents for Veterans Day weekend; 11/01/2016: the Board of Supervisors approved the request for waiving day use fees for eligible military personnel and dependents for Veterans Day weekend.
Fiscal Summary
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FY 20-21 Adopted |
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FY 22-23 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The estimated annual revenue impact of $2,625 assumes 375 veterans along with their dependents will take advantage of the pass and visit a park once over the holiday period. In FY19-20 Regional Parks distributed approximately 350 passes to veterans or qualified family members under last year’s Board approval.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
None
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None