Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fee Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County will study a possible Harpeth River watercraft user fee; staff warned a private act and enforcement plan would be required
Summary
Commission directed staff to research calls for service and cost data after hearing a report that a county watercraft fee would likely require a private act, be tied to recoverable costs, and face legal and enforcement challenges; three other Tennessee counties were cited as having fees or permits.
A commissioner asked staff to research whether Cheatham County should assess a fee or tax on commercial watercraft users on the Harpeth River.
Mr. Turner summarized research noting three Tennessee counties (Cocke, Polk and Unicoi) have some form of fee or charge for outfitters; Polk County’s original high per‑head tax was struck down in litigation and the memo indicated counties face legal risk if fees exceed cost recovery. Staff explained the state administers a "commercial use authorization" for state parks that requires outfitters to obtain permits and may require a 3% fee on gross revenues for state park use, but a county fee generally would require a private act from the legislature to grant authority.
Staff advised commissioners to determine the county’s attributable costs (law enforcement, EMS, rescue) and the number of watercraft users to compute a cost‑recovery fee; enforcement and administration (who issues permits and polices compliance) were described as open questions. Commissioners asked the sheriff and dispatch to pull historical calls for service and cost per response so the commission could assess whether a fee would be justified and administrable. Staff said they would return with call counts and cost figures by next month.
