At $12 for 90 minutes, Sarasota County's fee is higher than charges in surrounding counties. It's even higher than the $10 a day at the area's most exclusive private clubs.

And remember, these are public courts, constructed with our taxes and presumably priced so they are affordable to all.

The bloated charge is another example of Sarasota County's reaction to the voters' call for tax cuts. Yes, we got the cuts on our property tax bills. But meanwhile the county raised taxes (calling them fees) for using the parks that the property taxes originally paid to build and maintain.

What's interesting about Reifert's gripe is that she's not just griping. She's scheduled a hearing today before the Sarasota County commissioners.

Reifert has spreadsheets and some sound arguments for Payne Park's clay courts.

The best one might be this: If the county intends to raise fees to counteract falling tax revenue, someone better understand the market.

Despite opening three new courts, and raising fees from $9 to $12, income for the Payne Park courts actually fell in July and August compared with last year.

"Price your product too high and few will buy it," Reifert concludes. "When you're a restaurant struggling, the last thing you do is raise prices 34 percent."

Reifert lives on Siesta Key and runs a marketing company. She can afford the Payne Park fees. Many people cannot. That's the point.

And it carries over to the fees the county adopted last year for youth sports leagues, swimming pool exercise classes and other activities the community has come to expect from its public parks system.

The costs are turning people away.

Maybe Reifert's protest will encourage others. Anyone can do it.

Tucked away in an ordinance that overhauled the parks system last year lies a provision for direct appeal to the commissioners regarding fees.

That's good, because Little Leagues and other volunteer organizations who use county parks often do not keep up with the minutiae of government. The appeal process allows them to react to fees that slip though unnoticed during budget hearings.

And who says government doesn't listen?

Reifert's plea has already inspired a reaction. At least one county commissioner, Nora Patterson, has suggested eliminating the direct appeal.

Swanny note: Looks like Nora Patterson has to be removed from "office"

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http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080910/COLUMNIST/809100349/2273/NEWS&title=Residents_can_appeal_high_fees__but_beware