Looking forward to the soon approaching Spring thaw at the place where the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers meet, the Common Council for the City of Prescott approved new boat launch fees at its most recent city council meeting this past January 27th. Boat launch users will be able to pay their daily dues through an electronic machine the city will be putting at the downtown boat launch, with a formerly complicated daily rate schedule simplified to a single flat rate.

During the council meeting, staff recommendation of a single flat rate for daily use of $12.00 to replace the current daily schedule of eight different fees ranging in cost from $8.00 to $18.00 was shared and approved. Boat launch users will also be able to purchase an annual pass at the machine and forward this to city hall for the sticker. If the pass is not forwarded, it will be good for 30 days. Seasonal fee rates cannot be changed until 2021, due to DNR grant money being used for boat launch improvements, and commercial fees will stay the same. With a motion by Alderman Rob Daugherty that was seconded by Bailey Ruona, the new daily boat launch fee of $12.00 passed without a negative voice vote.

Breaking down the rate schedule further, a Commercial launch fee as well as the Commercial fishing launch fee will be $750.00. Seasonal boat launch for city residents in Prescott will be $35.00, while non-residents will pay $50.00 to use the Second Street boat launch. Collapsing the formerly complicated daily rate schedule, all daily users whether resident or non-resident, and regardless of whether their boats have no motor, are less than 20 feet, range in length from 20 to 26 feet, or are greater than 26 feet, will all be charged a flat rate of $8.00 to use the boat launch.