South Bruce Peninsula taxpayers are off the hook for maintenance at Sauble Beach this summer, thanks to unexpected increases in paid parking revenue.
Director of Corporate Services Karmen Krueger tabled a report for council showing paid parking brought in just shy of $300,000 this summer, while bylaw enforcement brought in an additional $16,000.
Krueger said those numbers far exceed what was budgeted.
"The paid parking were increased about $100,000 over the prior year, our expenditures were also increased, probably to the tune of another $45,000 or so, so we ended up ahead by about $50,000 for the year," said Krueger.
Mayor Janice Jackson said paid parking is saving taxpayers plenty of money, as the revenues are put towards the maintenance costs at Sauble Beach.
"If we didn't have the paid parking program, we'd be looking at a $300,000 levy increase to our taxpayers, so this is a really good news story that our taxpayers are not having to cover the cost, the expensive, exorbitant cost of maintaining Sauble Beach," said Jackson.
Jackson said the municipality has to prepare for the massive crowds experienced at Sauble Beach this summer, with the expectation that it will be the new normal going forward.