Bonita Springs approves pilot giving residents discounted access to Lee County annual beach pass

The Bonita Springs City Council approved a pilot program to make Lee County annual beach parking passes effectively cost residents $10 for the year by reimbursing $50 of the $60 purchase price. The pilot is scheduled to start June 1, make 300 passes available on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and run through Sept. 30; the passes cover designated Lee County park codes that include Bonita Springs beach access points 1 and 10 and the Imperial Riverboat ramp.

Council members said the program restores a resident benefit without the city directly reissuing passes through the county's third‑party system. Under the plan, residents must present two forms of residency verification and the pass receipt at the parks and recreation office to receive reimbursement the same day; the city expects the process to be handled by existing parks staff.

"Congratulations on getting this done," one council member said at the meeting, praising staff and the proposer. Parks and recreation director Nicole Fino told the council that previous sales through Lee County ranged from about 1,500 to 2,000 when broader access was offered, and council discussion noted the pilot's initial cap could be revisited during the next budget cycle.

Council approved the motion by roll call. Staff said they will implement daily intake procedures and indicated that, if the 300 passes sell out, council may choose to increase the line item in the next fiscal year. The council also asked staff to ensure the program details clearly exclude the main county beach park (which is not part of the city's allotment under this arrangement).

The pilot is intended to be a short‑term, budget‑limited program to make beach access more affordable for full‑time residents and to evaluate administrative processes for future years.