The City of Florala will start offering yearly passes to Lake Jackson.

At the city council meeting yesterday, Florala Mayor Terry Holley said that several people have shown interest in a yearly pass to the lake.

“A lot of people over the years, and especially over the past couple of years have expressed interest in this pass,” Holley said. “We have a lot of people fishing on the lake, and a lot of these are local people. With that, starting Aug. 1, they will have to register at the R.V. Park and then they will get a laminated card and everything.”

Holley said that there are several boaters who aren’t paying the current launching fee.

“Especially during the Fourth of July,” Holley said. “We had maybe 35 to 40 boats on the lake and only seven paid the launching fee. That is a problem.”

Along with the $50 annual fee, the council also approved a $1 raise to $3.

“We have kept the launch fee at $2 for the past 12 to 14 years,” Holley said. “At most other places, the launch fee is usually $4.”

Everything taking place at the lake, Holley said is to ensure that it is being maintained for the people.

“We are going to start doing some things to maintain the lake a little better,” Holley said. “We are going to start patrolling the area more and start writing tickets for people who haven’t paid. All of it is to make sure that people can enjoy the lake for a long time. We want to help local people have fun.”

Holley said that all of the money that comes in from the annual pass and launch fee will go directly back to the lake fund.

Veterans can obtain an annual pass for free.

The council also:

• Purchased a full page in the Florala sports program.
• Approved for a sign to be put at all athletic fields.