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YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING

 

 The residents who rent boat slips, buoys, or kayak spots are not happy, and some are appalled that they have been labeled as the rich residents of Lake Geneva and that the assumption that they can afford rental rate increases is basically very unreasonable and unfair. Alderperson (and committee person) Howell of Lake Geneva started the discussion about the potential rate increase many council members favor. Howell gathered some information before last week’s piers, harbor, and lakefront meeting. Some of the information, provided mostly by the public works department head Tom Earle, included data about how, as far as the piers and lakefront commission is concerned, the whole program is way over budget on repairs and maintenance and way under budget in charging patrons.

The reasons for being over budget are, apparently, that it was a hard weather year on the piers and the previous harbormaster having no knowledge about how things were done, instead of having the city crew take care of repairs the former harbormaster contracted Gage Marine to do costly repairs, and this caused the city to have to pay more than what was budgeted. Even with this information provided, Alderperson Howell made a motion to not raise rates across the board for every boat owner due to the pandemic, and the fact the same budget-breaking mistakes made last year will not be made again this year.

This caused some confusion and more discussion because the newly acquired boat slips and buoy spots from Gage have no set rate. Lake Geneva’s comptroller added some additional information, stating that Gage did not charge a consistent rental rate and that most of its slips went for just under $5,500 a season, although they were not always filled. Gage did give discounts to Marina Bay Boat Rental and Elmer’s Boat Rental rather than leave the spots empty. So, then the question was posed as to whether to charge these boat owners the same as last year at the discounted rate or have the two commercial renters pay full price, like the retail renters. Alderperson Hedlund suggested an amendment be made to the motion (which passed) to charge the full amount to all renters. The issue involving the west end pier and other city-owned slip rates needed to be voted on.

Alderperson Dunn stated that the council was there representing the almost eight thousand citizens of Lake Geneva, and not just the fifty to a hundred boat renters, and why are all the renters not getting increases on everything to support operating and capital costs?  Why is the city not raising rates? The renters want the city to spend more on upkeep, but the renters don’t want to spend more to help in that endeavor. The citizens of Lake Geneva need a break on taxes, and, while city officials are representing the city, knowing that the city needs the money for future repairs and unexpected expenses.

Chairperson Joni Yonkers encouraged Tom Earle to comment. He explained that Gage already has a contract with the city for certain work, like the removal and installation of piers and maintenance of the gas pier. Earle stated that there was, and remains, quite a bit of maintenance cost involved in taking care of the lakefront and the piers. Some piers are in need of major repair, and replacement is necessary to some of the lagoon piers at the top of the list. Joni added her thoughts regarding where the money is going to come from so that the improvements can be made. The committee members all seemed to be sympathetic to both sides, understanding that the residents want rates to be less expensive but also stating that the lakefront needs to be kept up to standards and have an emergency fund. The motion for a zero percent increase of boat slip and buoy rental rates failed.  Another motion for a 3% increase was put to a vote and passed unanimously.   It now goes to finance, licensing, and regulation, and finally the city council, to pass the new budget.

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