South Bruce Peninsula taxpayers are not footing the bill for maintaining Sauble Beach this year.
Council documents show paid parking at Sauble Beach brought in $283,000 over the course of the summer, exceeding beach maintenance costs by nearly $48,000.
Mayor Janice Jackson says it's the first time ever that paid parking at Sauble Beach has turned a profit, adding they typically had to use tax dollars to offset the shortfall in previous years.
Revenues are up $64,000 compared to 2015 and she says the hot, dry summer is likely the biggest factor in the boost in paid parking. She also points out that nearly all retailers in Sauble Beach are reporting at least a 50% increase in business.
Jackson says town staff feel they could have brought in more revenue and will look to use the profits to invest in the program for next year.
"I think our losses were not having enough [ticket] machines on the beach, not having enough by-law officers on the beach," says Jackson. "I think we lost a good chunk of revenue just from being short in that area."
