Attention Public Boat Ramp Users

[N. Cook]

The budget "crisis" is creating potential problems for all of us....Counties are looking for new revenue sources....why are we suprised it is US!!!!

Palm Beach County is considering a $10 per launch boat ramp charge at all county ramps....OUTRAGEOUS!!!!

Monday July 14 th Public Comment
Government Center
301 N. Olive Ave. 6th Floor
West Palm Beach

or email the Commissioners:

kmarcus@pbcgov.org
jkoons@pbcgov.org
bkanjian@pbcgov.org
mmcarty@pbcgov.org
baaronso@pbc.org
jsantama@pbcgov.org
agreene@pbcgov.org

Do not delay....let the Commissioner know this is not acceptable....

[deadinthere]

Arent you the one who was asking for increase in ffwcc pay? didnt you want to raise the fee for the waterfowl stamp? Well there you go. Here is your increase.

[David B]

I don't believe the county asking for launch fees has anything to do with either request you mention. I am thinking that they are looking for revenue for the county itself.


Well yes and no. There has been a request for a pay raise for FWC Law enforcement officers for the past three years. UWF has backed that request of FWC to the legislation of the State of Florida.

As for the increase in the waterfowl stamp price, I believe that question should be directed at me. I and a few other members worked hard asking for an increase in the cost of the permit. Personally I spent hours on the phone looking for backing from our elected officials when they announced in a H.R. and Senate Bill the increase in various licenses and permits this past year. The State of Florida has one of,if not, the lowest price for a waterfowl permit in the United States.
We were asking for an increase of permit fees specifically for the waterfowl permit to be used as specified by statue.


Waterfowl Management has long asked for an increase of funds to cover the expenses of crucially needed studies on endemic species of waterfowl in Floridaas well as other projects and needs.
As waterfowlers who are receipents of this hard work and soley those who reap such large personal benefits from such, we had asked for a one time increase to the sum of $10.00 per waterfowl permit.
There was a positive consensus among members at the time we made the request.
The time will come when we will need to help out those who work so hard for us,that we may continue to enjoy our beloved tradition of duck hunting in Florida. Hopefully we can achieve this through communications with our elected officials and in turn provide the relief we seek.

David B

[snookduck]

NC,
Oh, the darkside is starting to creep your way.

Pine Island launch $15, Matlacha $10, Cocohatchee $176 per year, Lee County $5 per launch.

I just factor that into the gas and expense bill.

[Captmako]

NC,
Oh, the darkside is starting to creep your way.

Pine Island launch $15, Matlacha $10, Cocohatchee $176 per year, Lee County $5 per launch.

I just factor that into the gas and expense bill.

That sucks! Every launch?! Are any of those private launches? Wow, imagine if a guy who hunts 50+ times/ yr had to pay that?? That's a hefty launch bill just for duck season. There's little wonder why people get fed up, quit the sport, or REVOLT and throw governments out on thier a$$!

[N. Cook]

When they start charging every one who visits a county park then the commission may have a point, but targeting boats is easy for them. They will claim "maintenance" expense, but there is little to show for any of that at the ramps beyond what is neccesary at any park...ie Jupiter Beach which gets "renourished" at the cost of millions of dollars (not neccesarily county money) and the facilities there are constantly being worked on...

What happens is the money goes to pay the new employees' salaries for collecting!!!!! and nothing is better at the ramps....and no new ramps to reduce crowding either...

[snookduck]

The cheapest launch I know on this side is $5 and it's a public launch. Cocohatchee is a public facility. My beef is that I don't see any money being spent on the ramp. Most of the ramps are in total disrepair so where is the money going?

[duckmanJR]

Maybe a little watchdogging... the figures for the income for the ramps is public record....compare that with expenses...should be in the past years county budget...

[deadinthere]

David, you are already paying for your hunting and waterfowling habitat. Research the pittman-Roberts Tax.

[N. Cook]

As you might expect there was a long line of "protesters" speaking to the Commissioners. They were able to change the direction of the meeting from "we are going to vote" to "we are going to let the staff work with the stakeholders on a plan".

Good work!

From what I can see the end result will be an annual permit...$20 to $30...and a flat fee at the ramp for those without the permit (lots of winter tourists bring their boats).

I liked the comments from many that any monies collected not go into the County"s General Fund but be used only for maintenance and improvement of the boat ramps.

The Commissioners continue to whine about the voters' approving Proprosition 1 which forced a "reduction" of property taxes in Florida. Sometimes noting that those who came up to speak against the fee probably voted for it.....What they need is a dose of reality....the money facuet has been turned off a little and now they have to do their jobs and quit wasteing our taxes....and not try to raise fees to allow them to keep up their excess spending.