Boat stickers could become costlier in Island Lake

Boating on Island Lake’s namesake could become more expensive for local residents and visitors.

Members of the village’s lake management committee on Monday discussed raising the price of boat stickers, which have to be purchased annually by people who boat on the lake.

The stickers vary in price, but typically they’re $18.75 for residents or $37.50 for nonresidents, committee members said.

Committee member Liz Nelson proposed increasing the cost as a way to boost revenue for the village.

“I don’t know why we can’t charge more,” Nelson said.

Committee leader Ken Wick seemed open to the idea, suggesting the fee for residents could be increased $1.25 to an even $20.

But Wick also acknowledged officials would have to justify a fee increase with the public.

Boaters have to buy stickers by Dec. 1 each year, so it’s too late to raise the fee for 2014, Nelson said.

None of the committee members voiced opposition to raising the sticker fees.

Island Lake police patrol the lake to make sure boaters have up-to-date stickers.

During the same conversation, Nelson also took issue with the stickers’ manufacturing cost, which officials said is more than $900 annually.

She suggested simplifying the design to lower the cost. Making the stickers one color instead of using multiple colors could make them cheaper, too, Nelson said.

The lake management committee advises the village board. It made no decisions or recommendations on the matter Monday.