Lake County officials direct staff to refine quagga-mussel fee options after public backlash

Lake County water resources staff presented a proposal to raise annual quagga-mussel sticker fees and create a special-event lake access permit to stabilize an invasive-mussel prevention program that staff said runs an annual deficit.

Aquatic invasive species coordinator Thomas Fardig told the Board that prevention is far cheaper than eradication: “Once we get them, it's gonna cost a lot more money to get rid of them, if it's even feasible.” He outlined risks to drinking-water intakes, dock infrastructure and tourism and said grants that historically funded the program have declined. Staff showed the program's FY cost at roughly $858,000 and said sticker revenue at the current $20 level produces about $167,000, leaving a gap of approximately $691,385. Using five-year sales averages, staff estimated annual sticker revenue at $624,730 if the fee is raised to $60, $703,036 at $80 and about $1.1 million at $100.

The staff recommendation would keep free decontamination services in place while charging higher sticker fees and adding a $50 application fee for large events plus pass-through inspection costs for tournament organizers when inspection dogs or additional staffing are required. Staff said a single large tournament this summer generated roughly $7,000 in dog-inspection costs.

Public commenters representing tournaments, vendors and local businesses supported prevention but warned a sudden jump from $20 to $60 could produce 'sticker shock' and harm small operators and events. Angela DePompadau of Lake County Land Trust urged intensive outreach and vendor consultation, noting ramp monitors and mom-and-pop businesses are the program's face. Tournament director Matthew St. Clair said a $3,000–$7,000 cost for inspections could be “very hurtful” to event viability.

Supervisors pressed staff on options to protect local users (resident discounts or annual passes), phased increases over several years, and use of other funding sources such as cannabis tax revenues, transient-occupancy taxes or one-time grants. Supervisors expressed support for an event permit and for a modest near-term fee adjustment rather than an immediate triple in price. Staff said proposed changes would take effect in July 2027 and committed to additional outreach, vendor engagement and a feasibility study for long-term decontamination stations. The Board directed staff to return in a few months with refined options and an outreach plan.