Chautauqua County officers are inviting events to a public assembly about the opportunity of boating charges on Chautauqua Lake.
County Govt PJ Wendel introduced that an data session shall be held on Wednesday, April 12th at 5:30 pm within the Legislative Chambers to discover and focus on the necessity for boating charges on Chautauqua Lake. “This assembly will start dialogue and focus on the formation of a committee to overview such levies on Chautauqua Lake in an effort to create a devoted funding supply to be carried out in 2024 for lake upkeep tasks.” he stated in a press release.
Earlier this yr, Chautauqua Township Supervisor Don Emhardt stated he supported boat charges, saying they could possibly be collected at boat launches on the lake. Different lakes within the state, together with Lake George, cost boat charges.
Wendel stated he beforehand mentioned the concept with Emhardt and believes it has benefit. “Those that use the lake essentially the most would contribute,” he stated throughout a telephone interview.
Charges might vary from $50 to $100 and could possibly be utilized to boats over a sure dimension to keep away from loading kayaks, rowboats or canoes.
In accordance with Wendel, if the county legislature agrees to a ship tax, it must ship an utility to the state for remaining approval. Due to the a number of steps concerned, there could be no boat taxes this summer time or fall, even when each the county and state legislatures lend their assist.
Wendel stated any cash collected from boat charges will return to the lake for upkeep. “I commit to maintain a lake fund, to not go to taxes, to not go to salaries or make price range gaps. This goes to lake, interval. That is the place the cash stays” he stated.
In the end, Wendel stated, whether or not it is boat taxes or greater occupancy taxes, his objective is to assist enhance Chautauqua Lake and different waterways. “I simply wish to be proactive and set up another supply of funding to maneuver ahead,” he stated.
