Paddock Lake raises boat launch fees to cover costs

By Gail Peckler-Dziki ~ Correspondent

The recent hike in the Paddock Lake boat launch parking lot fee of $3, from  $2 to $5, was the culmination of three years of board discussion, according to Village President Marlene Goodson and Village Administrator Tim Popanda.

The cost of an annual pass is $35 for one lake and $45 for both. The measure passed six to one at the Lake District annual meeting, held on May 16. Trustee Terry Burns was the only no vote.

“Our costs were an average of $8,500 the past three years,” Goodson said in a recent telephone interview. The fees paid were only about $4,000.”

The actual operating costs for both the parking lot for Paddock Lake and Hooker Lake for 2011 were $8,805.  Included in that amount is a sealing coat and striping for the Paddock Lake parking lot. Since the $4,000 from parking lots fees didn’t cover that, many was taken from the parks and village hall budgets.

The projected costs for 2012 is $12,490; for 2013 $14,760 and for 2014 $12,530. The 2013 and 2014 projections include ramp and pier and parking lot improvements, signs and ramp repairs and porta toilets. Administrative tasks are also part of the cost of marinating the parking lots.

“We need to maintain those parking lots properly so they will last,” Popanda said. “It costs less to maintain rather than replace. And we must repair graffiti and other vandalism.”

Also planned is a light for the parking lot next to the village hall.

“Sometimes boaters are coming in to that lot after dark,” He continued. “There should be a light so people aren’t trying to find their keys and get into their cars in the dark.”

Prior to the rate increases, Popanda talked with Department of Natural Resource (DNR) officials. He was told that if the revenues were greater than the costs, it would reflect badly the next time the village applied for a DNR grant.

“I was told that when there was such a discrepancy between revenue and costs,” Popanda said, “they view it as poor management.”

DNR officials told Popanda that the village did not need to apply to the DNR to raise parking rates if the raise kept the fee equal to the state park average, which is $7. That fee will go up with each amenity, such as an attendant, and portable toilets.

Popanda said that it appears that most who use the parking lots are non-residents. “When I drive by, if there are five cars, three have Illinois license plates.”

He also sees evidence from information gathered on the envelopes for the fees that many are out of state.

Goodson said in a later telephone interview, “Those who park there are mainly non-residents. The residents who live on the lakes don’t use the parking lots. Many village residents that don’t live on the lakes will launch their boat and then take their car and trailer back home.”

“It’s not right,” she continued, “to have residents pay for services used by non-residents.”

The village has 1,695 visitors to both lakes each year. Also there are 62 annual pass holders. Even with the increase to $5 for parking, the only municipalities with lower fees than Paddock Lake are Silver Lake and Salem. Both have DNR boat launches that are maintained by the DNR.

 

What others charge for boat launch parking

      Municipalities that charge $7 to park are Powers Lake (9 parking stalls), Lilly Lake (8), Lake Mary (32), Lake Elizabeth (21) and Eagle Lake (12). Williams Bay (35) and Fontana/Lake Geneva (unknown) charge $7.50. Delevan Lake (54) is $8 and Browns Lake (18) is $8.50. Lake Geneva (8) is $12.

      An annual pass at Lilly Lake is $28. Eagle Lake passes are $70. Powers Lake cost is $15 for Randall residents and $22.50 for non-residents. Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth annual passes are $19 for Twin Lakes residents and $70 for non-residents. Browns Lake passes are $70 and $85. Lake Geneva annual passes are $60 for residents and $220 for non-residents. Fontana/Lake Geneva and Williams Bay passes are $75 for residents and $220 for non-residents.

      The Town of Salem has several areas that are considered fire lane that are maintained as convenience boat launches. According to public works supervisor Mike Murdock, “We fill in the potholes but don’t do anything in the water.”

      Salem has a portable toilet by the  Yaws subdivision fire lane on Camp Lake and another on Center Lake near the Center Lake beach area. Funds to maintain the toilets come from the park fund.

 


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