State Budget Commission Sets Aside $1.7 Million For Mermaid Park

The Legislative Budget Commission on Wednesday approved a $1.7 million appropriation to run Weeki Wachee Springs for the remainder of this fiscal year after the attraction becomes a state park on Nov. 1.

State officials projected the park would take in $3 million by the end of the current fiscal year and set aside the money for the period from Nov. 1 through June 30, 2009. The money is coming out of the state park trust fund.

The park will be run by a full-time manager with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEP oversees the state park system.

The attraction's current full-time employees would be considered state employees but would not have benefits at least until the start of the 2009-10 fiscal year. During budget talks next year, DEP will ask the Legislature for funding to those workers as full-time employees.

Gate fees would initially remain the same, but officials agreed to review those rates later if enough revenue comes in to justify a reduction.