New Smyrna considers fee for North Causeway boat ramp

This is just another way for Cities to keep low and fixed income people from using its facilities.
They could get Gov. money thru the Waterway clean up fund to repair water access.
There are millions that go unspent every year for water way projects.
It also doesn't make financial sense. They want 2 employees standing there all day everyday?
City employee get paid what?$30,000.00
We have 200 boaters a week times $5.00 per boater times 4 weeks a month average.
That comes to $4000.00 a month times 12 months equals 48000.00. subtract 2 employees at $60,000 a year plus overtime plus double time plus city expenses, gas, truck repair, etc.
How does this make sense???

I agree, in part.

But it is probably more like 100 on a Saturday or Sunday. I've seen the parking lot overflowing on many a weekend. More would probably launch if their were more ramps and parking.

We don't need a fee for existing boat ramps... we need more boat ramps, closer to the inlet, and free ones at that.

And the "all day, every day" part. It is open 24 hours.

Amenities such as the boat ramps are what attract people to the area. They are popular, as evidenced by their use.

I also agree that boating, recreationally or commercially, is getting more and more expensive and the less affluent boaters need a lauch fee like they need another hike in the gas prices.

Put in a new ramp close to the inlet and I would pay $5 to use it. It would save me more than that in gas. But to pay $5 to use the same ramps -- at least two of them -- that I have been using since I was a kid, just so I can drive a half hour each way to the jetties through the no-wake zones? I say "No way." I guess it will be for the more affluent and to hell with the fisherman who is trying to make every penny count.

A fee is a terrible idea. You will see alternate ramps created like off US1 at rose bay and the edgewater ramp will flood out. This is rediculous, I like to put my boat in for sometimes just a 30 minute trip to show visitors our beautiful waterways. Not for an extra 5 bucks to put in though. Does anyone know what we can do or who we can call to have our voice heard.
I also agree with Clam Bob, we need more ramps not tolls on the existing ones we have. Who else remembers Richenburg not filling out the grant paperwork for free money from the state earlier this year to support new ramps. Hey Randy, how bout we tax the surfers for paddling out at the jetty. Not. I think the resin odors have affected your rational thinking. I'm still angry about limiting the dog beach. Is there anything going to be left for the average joe to do. I heard a rumor of a new Super Walmart being brought into Edgewater/NSB. We can't sell out like this people we just can't do it!

The ramps were built and repaired with grant money from the feds and state if I remember that far back.
I'm sure it was supposed to always be free if that money was used.
There are DEP, EPA and other Waterway Grant money available for projects like these. Doesn't New Smyrna have a $100,000.00 a year Grant writer like DeBary had?
Just a thought here...Maybe the people that want to charge money to use the ramps, are the same elitists that had the speed limit reduced from the bridge to the Coast Guard station.

Why does everyone want everything for free??

$5 seems like a meager amount of money

I already pay too much.
Taxes taxes and more taxes.
Sales, special drainage tax, franchise fee for Cable and telephone.
What else???

It wouldn't be a tax if it were a fee that charged only the boaters for something that only the boaters do.

I would also be opposed to a tax since I dont own a boat or participate in boating.

ya ok i want to pay five dollars to launch a john boat when i dont have much money anyways and that could be a gallon of gas in my tank. I dont think we need to pay a fee. I think it is rediculous.

A compromise: A fee for boats not registered in NSB. It is a city ramp which is very popular with out-of-towners. Let them pay for restoration costs.

I would agree with boats registered outside of NSB, and for those that dont want to pay the fee they could jump in the river in Edgewater, Oak Hill or North of the NSB airport.

People seem to want things for free and not take into consideration the maintaince costs involved. Not everything is covered under grants, general maintainance is usually one of them. Grants usually cover large projects over short term, and leave it to the locals to cover the maintainance.

Well I don't go to the skate board park or the shuffle board park but they are there and they are maintained by the tax payers. Why should boaters pay?
I don't go to the beach but it's maintained by taxpayers and it's free.
Charge $5.00 to everyone thats on the beach and you would have a riot on your hands.

Don't give them any ideas.