Whitefish approves higher boat-launch fees to bolster invasive-species inspections
Loading...
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 26-03 raising resident and nonresident day and season boat-launch fees and restructuring commercial charges to increase funding for aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspections and decontamination; staff projects revenue would cover roughly 80% of AIS program costs after the change.
The Whitefish City Council voted on Feb. 17 to increase public‑use fees at the City Beach boat launch to better fund the city's aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection and decontamination program.
Parks Director Maria Butts told the council that, in 2025, boat-launch revenues covered only about 27% of the AIS program's roughly $119,000 annual operating cost (staffing and supplies) and that renovations to the ramp and drive lane cost about $230,000. Butts said the city had also received $17,500 annually from the Whitefish Lake Institute and around $32,590 in pass and permit revenue in 2025.
To bring revenues closer to costs, staff proposed a new fee structure adopted as Resolution 26-03. Major changes include establishing a nonresident day-launch fee ($50), raising the resident day fee (from $10 to $15), increasing resident season pass from $50 to $100 and setting a nonresident season pass at $250. Commercial permit fees were restructured from a flat permit/punch-card model to a $500 base permit plus a $15 per-launch fee (with other adjustments for motorized and e-motor launches). Staff projected the changes would raise boat-ramp revenues by about 60%, covering an estimated 80% of the AIS inspection/decontamination costs.
Council members asked how the city would determine residency; staff said residency would be determined by where the watercraft is registered. Councilors also discussed whether future fee refinements should account for boat type (e.g., wake boats versus fishing boats) because of different impacts and decontamination needs; Maria Butts said the program inspects for both mussels and plant material and that some boat types require additional wash time but decontamination itself cannot be charged for (it will remain free).
Commercial operators voiced mixed views: Andre Grosshoff, a commercial permit holder, said pursuing commercial users was justified but suggested consideration of a tiered approach and thought out-of-state registrants should pay higher fees.
Councilor Frank moved to adopt Resolution 26-03; Councilor Cornell seconded and the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.
The new fee schedule is set to take effect March 1 when commercial registration opens for the season, and staff will return with season-end data to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes.
