Parks Rental Fee Increase?

Here's something you may not know: Residents who live in Westchase and pay taxes to this community pay the same amount -- $25 an hour -- as non residents to rent park spaces.

It's a troubling fact to some.

"A lot of residents complain about paying the same as non residents," said Sonny Whyte, Westchase Community Development District office manager.

But that may be changing soon.

The voted at Tuesday's meeting to increase fees to $50 per hour for non-residents. That means if a non-Westchase resident wants to throw a party at Glencliff Park, they will have to pay the new rate. A Westchase resident would get the space for the regular $25 an hour fee.

The rate increase would offset fees the CDD will face to process credit card charges, a new feature they hope to provide to the public soon.

In the coming months, a public hearing will be held on the price increase, before the CDD supervisors take their final vote on that issue. The date for that hearing has yet to be scheduled.

What do you think about the price increase?