MEXICO BEACH — The first reading of an ordinance that would levy boat launch fees at the Mexico Beach boat ramp split the City Council during its regular November meeting.
Taking a page from Port St. Joe’s book, Councilwoman Tanya Castro raised the idea of adding an honor-based fee system at the boat ramp during a previous workshop.
To stay competitive with Port St. Joe, Castro proposed a fee of $10 per day or $50 per year for ramp access. In the proposal, those who live in Mexico Beach, own property or use the ramp for commercial purposes and have an occupational license could continue to use the ramp free of charge.
According to the proposal, fees collected only could be used for maintenance and improvement projects on the ramp.
Since implementing similar fees in May, the city of Port St. Joe has collected more than $14,000 at the ramp in Frank Pate Park.
The Mexico Beach boat ramp is owned by the St. Joe Company but was donated to the city for use, which caused some contention among the council members.
The council did not run the ordinance past the St. Joe Company, but according to the lease agreement, the city is allowed to levy fees if desired.
“I have serious problems with the way this is being handled,” Councilman Jack Mullen said. “St. Joe has been good to us, and I don’t think we should be charging without discussing it with the St. Joe Company. We should show a certain amount of professional courtesy.”
Mullen said he believed there was a clause in the lease that would force the city to share profits from the ramp with St. Joe.
Castro said the lease only required notification that a fee had been instituted, but no permission from St. Joe is needed.
One resident expressed concern that the fees would turn away visitors and tourists who wanted to enjoy a day on the water.
“If it was an exorbitant tax, I would not be for it,” Councilwoman Mary Blackburn said. “I think the fee is fair and it wouldn’t prevent people from coming.”
The ordinance allows revisiting the fees after one year. Once the council gets the numbers, it can decide if the fees should remain.
Mayor Al Cathey opposed the fees from the onset. He said he didn’t feel they fit with the vision and feeling of Mexico Beach.
Cathey said he had done research, and there aren’t any municipally owned boat ramps in Bay County that charge a fee.
“Boating and fishing is who we are,” Cathey said. “Every council who has sat in these chairs for the past 50 years has seen what fishing and boating has done for Mexico Beach. We like that warm, fuzzy, friendly village feeling.
“Why aren’t we satisfied? Take a deep breath and enjoy what we have.”
Cathey said he was concerned boat ramp fees could cost a local restaurant owner the sale of a meal or a local waitress a tip.
“A box at the boat ramp is cold and hard, not friendly and fuzzy,” Cathey said. “We might keep track of what we collect, but who’s going to keep track of what we lose?”
Instead of a box to collect fees from boaters, Cathey said he would prefer to see a sign at the ramp to thank tourists and boaters for visiting.
The first reading passed 3-2, with Cathey and Mullen opposed. A final vote could come at the council’s regular meeting in December.