New rules cut commercial boat use by 30% in Kelowna

New fees for businesses launching boats in Kelowna this summer are paying both financial and user benefits.

The number of commercial operators has been cut in half with an estimated more than 30% reduction in the number of boats they launch.

READ MORE: Kelowna boat launch fees could cost companies thousands

“The city’s commercial boat launch program has proven highly successful, alleviating commercial demand for limited launching capacity at the Cook Road and Water Street boat launches while at the same time raising $140,000 in non-taxation revenue,” says a staff report going to Kelowna City Council on Monday.

That $140,000 is greater than the $100,000 staff expected to collect this year.

Enforcement is budgeted at $20,000. Four tickets have been issued so far but no one had to be towed, the report says.

The $120,000 net financial gain will be put into a reserve fund. Staff expect to use $75,000 of it next year to make “urgent” repairs to the docks at the Water Street boat launch.

The city has talked to 40 commercial operators.

Twelve have said they will no longer use the city boat launches, 10 have been licenced and 10 have applications in stream.

The other eight have not responded and have been asked to confirm that they won’t use the boat launches.

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