Posted on December 11, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Park Board still wants to do some more research before making a final decision on electrical upgrades at the Bass Lake Campground. The facility’s operator, Callahan Development LLC, wants to increase the electrical capacity in the back half of the property and is asking the county to deduct the $7,800 cost from its rent payment.
Callahan’s contract allows for credits for approved capital projects. But due to the number of credits already received, Callahan won’t have to pay any rent for some time.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Board President Richard Ballard pointed out that none of the board members were sure exactly how much of a credit Callahan has accumulated so far. “I do think we should get kind of a handle on how much money we’re in the hole in the thing and just kind of see where we are,” Ballard said. “But on the other hand, bottom line is we’re stuck with the lease, and we’ve got to do what the lease requires, I guess.”
County Attorney Marty Lucas suggested checking with the Auditor’s Office, and Board Member Rik Ritzler said he has a big stack of park board records from his predecessor on the board, Debbie Mix.
Board Member Butch Gerstandt felt that Callahan should pay for the upgrades itself. “They’ve got, what, 60 sites, and he’s saying they’ve got $100,000 campers and that coming in now,” Gerstandt said. “Just raise the price of the rent of the campers, even $100 each, and you’ll have it. He’ll have the money in hand, and that’ll pay for them big campers coming in. And it’s over.”
Board members also reiterated their concerns that Callahan’s current fees encouraged the campground to be used as an RV storage lot and that the county isn’t getting income from renting the facility to Callahan. The Starke County Park Board has been discussing this particular round of electrical upgrades since August.
Showing posts with label electrical upgrades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electrical upgrades. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Friday, October 18, 2019
Starke Park Board Again Defers Action on Bass Lake Campground Electrical Upgrades
Posted on October 18, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Park Board still hasn’t reached a decision on electrical upgrades at the Bass Lake Campground. The facility’s operator, Callahan Development LLC, wants to increase the electrical capacity in the back half of the property and is asking the county to deduct the $7,800 cost from its rent payment.
Callahan’s contract with Starke County allows for credits for approved capital projects. The request was first brought to the park board in August but was tabled twice.
During last week’s meeting, a motion was finally made to grant the credit, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas. But he says Board Member Rik Ritzler ended up rescinding his motion after it failed to get a second.
Manager Larry Clarich has argued that the campground needs the added capacity to handle newer RVs, especially when their air conditioners are running during the summer. But Lucas says board members suggested that he could address the problem by limiting the number of 50-amp RVs in that part of the campground, instead.
Board members were also concerned about whether renting out campsites to year-long occupants was in keeping with the board’s master plan, according to Lucas. There have also been concerns that Callahan has gotten so many capital improvement credits that there’s little or no rent money coming into the county.
Since no final action was taken last week, Lucas expects the issue to come up again during next month’s meeting.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Park Board still hasn’t reached a decision on electrical upgrades at the Bass Lake Campground. The facility’s operator, Callahan Development LLC, wants to increase the electrical capacity in the back half of the property and is asking the county to deduct the $7,800 cost from its rent payment.
Callahan’s contract with Starke County allows for credits for approved capital projects. The request was first brought to the park board in August but was tabled twice.
During last week’s meeting, a motion was finally made to grant the credit, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas. But he says Board Member Rik Ritzler ended up rescinding his motion after it failed to get a second.
Manager Larry Clarich has argued that the campground needs the added capacity to handle newer RVs, especially when their air conditioners are running during the summer. But Lucas says board members suggested that he could address the problem by limiting the number of 50-amp RVs in that part of the campground, instead.
Board members were also concerned about whether renting out campsites to year-long occupants was in keeping with the board’s master plan, according to Lucas. There have also been concerns that Callahan has gotten so many capital improvement credits that there’s little or no rent money coming into the county.
Since no final action was taken last week, Lucas expects the issue to come up again during next month’s meeting.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Starke Park Board Continues Discussing Potential Campground Electrical Upgrades
Posted on September 11, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Park Board has once again tabled a discussion on electrical upgrades at the Bass Lake Campground.
Last month, the facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC, presented a plan to increase electrical capacity to the back half of the campground and replace a broken underground cable. Under Callahan’s lease, the company is supposed to cover all maintenance costs, but capital improvements approved by the park board ahead of time are covered by the county as a deduction in Callahan’s rent payment.
When the park board picked up the discussion Tuesday, Board President Richard Ballard said he’d come to the conclusion that the cable replacement costing just over $200 wasn’t eligible for county funding, but the $7,800 capacity increase could be. But other members had some concerns.
Rik Ritzler pointed out the operators knew what the electrical capacity was and have decided to rent spaces for increasingly energy-intensive RVs anyway. Ritzler added that Callahan has built up a sizable credit on its rent payment due to capital improvements that have been approved, and he wanted to know the exact figure before moving forward. Similarly, Board Member Chris Lawrence wanted time to research whether the electrical upgrades are in line with the park board’s 10-year plan, and if so, whether the whole campground should be upgraded at once, rather than half.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Park Board has once again tabled a discussion on electrical upgrades at the Bass Lake Campground.
Last month, the facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC, presented a plan to increase electrical capacity to the back half of the campground and replace a broken underground cable. Under Callahan’s lease, the company is supposed to cover all maintenance costs, but capital improvements approved by the park board ahead of time are covered by the county as a deduction in Callahan’s rent payment.
When the park board picked up the discussion Tuesday, Board President Richard Ballard said he’d come to the conclusion that the cable replacement costing just over $200 wasn’t eligible for county funding, but the $7,800 capacity increase could be. But other members had some concerns.
Rik Ritzler pointed out the operators knew what the electrical capacity was and have decided to rent spaces for increasingly energy-intensive RVs anyway. Ritzler added that Callahan has built up a sizable credit on its rent payment due to capital improvements that have been approved, and he wanted to know the exact figure before moving forward. Similarly, Board Member Chris Lawrence wanted time to research whether the electrical upgrades are in line with the park board’s 10-year plan, and if so, whether the whole campground should be upgraded at once, rather than half.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Starke County Park Board Considers More Electrical Work at Bass Lake Campground
Posted on August 19, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The operator of the Bass Lake Campground is once again asking the Starke County Park Board to cover the cost of electrical upgrades. County Attorney Marty Lucas says a representative of Callahan Development, LLC told the park board last week that the company is looking to expand the campground’s electrical capacity.
It was noted that the current system is having trouble keeping up with the demands of the newer RVs, especially if their air conditioners are running. The representative explained that the capacity upgrade would start at the back of the campground and split the service area into two sections, according to Lucas. On top of that, Lucas says the operators also want to replace a failed underground electrical line and noted that other cables may also be reaching the end of their useful life.
Under Callahan’s lease with the county, the company is supposed to cover all maintenance costs, but capital improvements approved by the park board ahead of time are covered by the county as a deduction in Callahan’s rent payment. Earlier this year, the park board agreed to deduct about $3,500 for circuit breaker upgrades and wiring work done in 2018.
Lucas says board members weren’t sure the public would support increased investment in the campground, and they ended up tabling the request to give members who weren’t at last week’s meeting a chance to weigh in.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The operator of the Bass Lake Campground is once again asking the Starke County Park Board to cover the cost of electrical upgrades. County Attorney Marty Lucas says a representative of Callahan Development, LLC told the park board last week that the company is looking to expand the campground’s electrical capacity.
It was noted that the current system is having trouble keeping up with the demands of the newer RVs, especially if their air conditioners are running. The representative explained that the capacity upgrade would start at the back of the campground and split the service area into two sections, according to Lucas. On top of that, Lucas says the operators also want to replace a failed underground electrical line and noted that other cables may also be reaching the end of their useful life.
Under Callahan’s lease with the county, the company is supposed to cover all maintenance costs, but capital improvements approved by the park board ahead of time are covered by the county as a deduction in Callahan’s rent payment. Earlier this year, the park board agreed to deduct about $3,500 for circuit breaker upgrades and wiring work done in 2018.
Lucas says board members weren’t sure the public would support increased investment in the campground, and they ended up tabling the request to give members who weren’t at last week’s meeting a chance to weigh in.
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