The Lee County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday heard several options for changing its collection of tolls and making the electronic collection system permanent, which could potentially mean an increase in tolls for some and an increase in fees.

No decisions were made.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the county’s tolls for its bridges have been collected electronically, replacing toll booth collectors due to health risks.

While that has made for smoother traffic and fewer drivers scurrying for bills and change, there was an approximate $4.5 million loss in revenue from the drop off in vehicle traffic during the height of the pandemic though that may be recoverable through stimulus funds according to county staff.

There has also been an increase in the amount of tolls that haven’t been collected due to the lack of toll booth collectors and drivers passing through electronic tolls who aren’t signed up with a transponder.

A proposal favored by County Manager Roger Desjarlais and county staff would provide free transponders for residents to place on their cars so that tolls would be billed electronically and so maintain the electronic toll system.

Desjarlais and Department of Transportation Director Randy Cerchie also floated proposals that would raise the motorcycle fee from $1 to $2 at the Cape Coral and Midpoint bridges, while also doing away with the second car discount.

Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chair Kevin Ruane said the second car discount adds up to $200 in Sanibel for a year’s pass.

Assistant County Manager David Harner said for those who don’t use the transponder, there “should be a premium” for those that pass over the tolls without one. Cerchie suggested a $2 fee to be added to the bills that are sent to those who don’t use the transponder.

The county was charging fees before the pandemic to those who passed through the electronic tolling without a transponder but now every vehicle is passing through the electronic tolling.

Now that there are no toll collectors, drivers are just receiving bills with the cost of the toll.

Commissioner Brian Hamman said he wants to make permanent all-electronic toll collection.

Ruane said “we don’t have a choice” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I don’t think we feel comfortable putting people back in the booth right now.”

Cerchie said the county’s toll system is inter-operable with all of Florida, Georgia and North Carolina’s electronic tolling systems and by this summer will sync with E-Z Pass which is used in more than two dozen states on the East Coast.

The toll at Cape Coral and Midpoint was last raised in 2007 from $1 to $2. The toll to Sanibel rose from $3 to $6 in 2004.

Asked by Hamman as to what happens to people who don’t pay outstanding toll balances, Cerchie said he is working with the Lee County Clerk of the Courts about whether to do a registration suspension or license suspension.

Desjarlais said the Clerk of the Courts has asked the county to find an alternative to chasing people who face $2 and $10 fines.

“The recovery rate is not very good,” Desjarlais said.

Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said there had to be some type of fine to ensure people pay the tolls though he said raising the motorcycle rate may lead to questions about why it was necessary.

Ruane noted that the E-Z pass system will suspend licenses for non-payment, which he said is an incentive to pay the tolls.

Ruane said he wanted to let the public know there is still debt out there on the bridges, including the Cape Coral bridges and there will be more future debt with other bridge projects.

Ruane said he wants more information from staff about figures presented concerning how much of the tolls have been uncollectable.

Desjarlais said staff would work on a financial analysis and bring forward a proposal at the county’s next meeting on April 20.

If the commissioners approve changes to its toll system, there would be a public hearing.