Milton lowers boat-dock fees

Milton officials are using basic economics to help generate a few extra bucks.

Since increasing boat dock fees in 2009, the town has seen a significant decrease in revenue. To regain that lost money, town council voted Aug. 1 to lower the fees and create an incentive for renting year round.

“It’s like when a doctor gives you medicine,” said Councilwoman Mary Hudson. “You need to give him feedback as to if it’s being effective. I think the higher rates are not being effective.”

When council increased the rental fee for the six summer months - April through September - from $100 to $200 per month, the town saw an immediate drop in revenue. According to Hudson, the revenue generated with the old fee structure was $4,625 annually. Since raising it, it hasn’t been higher than $3,600, which is this year’s total.

Beginning in the new fiscal year, Oct. 1, boat dock rentals for the summer months will be dropped to $150 per month. The winter fee of $100 per month will remain the same. Council has also added an incentive to those who plan to use a slip most of the year. If a boater is willing lease a dock for a full year, they will pay only $1,000.

Five of the town’s six slips are occupied. Mayor Cliff Newlands said two to three docks are typically filled in the winter months. The slips are located on the northeast end of Memorial Park on Chandler Street.

Lowering fees isn’t new for Milton. In January 2007, council reduced the professional license fee for businesses from $250 to $125.

Every extra dollar in revenue the town can produce will likely be important as Milton is facing a $350,000 budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. Newlands has proposed a gross rental receipt tax that could produce $200,000, but town council is still searching for other money-generating sources.

Newlands isn’t so sure offering year-round rates will increase revenue because it still may be cheaper to pull the boat out every winter.

“Dry storage around here is $50,” he said. “As long as they have a way of getting the boat out of there, it’s worth it.”