City Beach boat launch fee increases

The fee for launching a boat at City Beach on Whitefish Lake will go up to $10 next year.

Whitefish City Council Nov. 7 approved an increase in the fee that was $5. The fee amount was previously set in 2011.

The Park Board recommended the increase in the fee, which is expected to help offset costs associated with the launch.

Council, along with increases in other parks and recreation fees, in August approved an increase in the season pass boat launch from $40 to $50 per season pass, per vessel.

The launch fees support the maintenance of the launch, staffing of the launch and the aquatic invasive species inspection station, according to Park Director Maria Butts.

This year 990 day passes were sold at City Beach from May 28 through Sept. 5. There were 125 season passes purchased. The city collected just under $10,000 for both types of passes.

Butts said she doesn’t expect revenue from the daily launch fee to double because of the increase in the fee.

“Some people may choose to purchase the season pass instead,” she said. “Weather also always has a role in the amount of daily passes we sell.”

When Council passed the increase to the season pass fee, it asked staff to return with a recommendation for an increase in the daily fee to help pay for the city’s aquatic invasive species program.

The entry fee at Whitefish Lake State Park, which also allows for launching a boat, is $6.