Board sets Lehman Park launch fee at $10 and authorizes $100 annual pass; staff to tighten enforcement

The Pewaukee Parks & Recreation advisory board voted to set the Lehman Park boat launch fee at $10 per launch and to offer an annual pass for $100, following staff recommendations and a discussion of enforcement options.

Speaker 4 presented options informed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources update from February 2025, noting a legal range of permissible fees and examples of base fees and optional surcharges for amenities. Staff described enforcement measures the department will pursue next season, including clearer communication to commercial operators, signage, timestamped photos or camera evidence of unpaid launches, and coordination with the village board and police department for potential citations when rules are flouted.

Board members expressed concern about practical enforcement, particularly with commercial delivery fleets that sometimes unload and depart without paying. Staff responded that attendants, annual passes, a relationship with the bait shop to help monitor launches and camera evidence should make enforcement feasible. "If they don't want to pay that rate, then just don't launch there," Speaker 4 said, urging a clear, enforceable rule.

A motion (Speaker 2) to change the fee to $10 per launch and implement a $100 annual pass, with staff to work with local businesses to improve compliance, was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Staff will return with implementation details, including signage, a monitoring protocol (time-stamped photos and camera review), and recommended ordinance language if needed.