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Council approves updated boat‑launch fees and license‑plate kiosk system
Summary
The council approved a new fee schedule for the redeveloped boat launch and authorized a camera/kiosk entry system intended to capture nonresident usage and season passes; staff said technology and processing fees will be required and the system is built into the launch project budget.
The Oconomowoc Common Council voted to adopt new fees and a license‑plate kiosk system for the city’s boat launch as part of the boat‑launch redevelopment.
Why it matters: The launch project includes a new entry/pay kiosk with cameras to capture license plates, which staff say will make enforcement and resident discounts simpler and allow the city to collect fees outside staffed lifeguard hours.
How the system works
Parks staff (presented by Mr. Boettcher) described a camera system and kiosk that photographs license plates at entry. Users can pay at the kiosk, online, or buy a season pass; the system stores a timestamped record of each entry so staff can follow up on unpaid launches. Staff said the kiosk/camera hardware and installation are part of the larger boat‑launch redevelopment budget.
Fees presented
Under state rules the city cannot charge resident/nonresident differentials for nonmotorized vessels (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards), so staff proposed a single daily fee there. For motorized trailer launches the staff proposal included the resident and nonresident rates set under Wisconsin DNR guidance and city practice: - Nonmotorized (canoe/kayak/paddleboard): $8 per day or $80 per season. - Motorized (trailered) resident: $13.75 per day or $137.50 per season. - Motorized (trailered) nonresident: $19.25 per day or $192.50 per season.
Staff also explained the payment and residency verification process: residents can pre‑register license plates in the system and staff will verify residency (the registration may take 24–72 hours for manual verification). If a user fails to pay, the system will generate a violation record that staff can forward to police for enforcement.
Costs and revenue expectations
Boettcher said the kiosk/camera equipment and installation totaled about $47,750 (equipment/installation line in the project budget). Annual operating costs for the software and support were described as roughly $9,000; staff estimated an incremental revenue improvement of $12,000–$15,000 per year from improved compliance and nonresident fees, producing a multi‑year payback if the system performs as expected.
Council action and next steps
The council approved the updated fee schedule and the kiosk approach by voice vote during the meeting. Staff said they will proceed with installation as part of the larger boat‑launch project and will return data on usage and collections once the system is operating.
Quote from staff
“We have 24 hours to make your payment into the system,” the presenter said, describing the kiosk workflow and the enforcement follow‑up for unpaid launches.
Ending
City staff said they will publicize the new system and the registration process to residents before launch season and report back to council after the first season of operation with usage and revenue figures.
