Lake trailer house rent will increase $100 per year years ago
Staff reporter
After Marion County Commission and the Marion County Lake and Park Superintendent volleyed concerns and opinions about lot rent for trailer houses at the lake, the commission finally approved a $100 per year increase for all tenants.
Individuals own the older trailer houses which can be occupied up to two weeks at a time.
Superintendent Dale Snelling said he was concerned about raising the annual fee because it might discourage the working class people, who primarily own those trailers, to continue renting a space at the lake and the rustic condition of the trailers and atmosphere at the lake probably wouldn't attract wealthier campers.
Commission chairman Dan Holub said cabins could be built west of the lake office which would make more facilities available for more people instead of 57 trailers owned by individuals.
Commissioner Randy Dallke started the discussion when he stated he had been contacted by some of the trailer house owners and by those who used to own a trailer house and eventually built or bought a house at the lake.
Holub said all costs should be considered when determining lot rent increases.
Snelling had kept a comprehensive log of expenses associated with the trailer park and told the commission that each trailer cost the county approximately $615 per year which included all utilities, upkeep of the lot, and other expenses.
Holub said he would like boat storage to be separate from the lot rent. Currently, those who have a trailer house at the lake may store their boats on county property at no additional charge.
There are four different prices for lot rent which is dependent on the size of the trailer. There are seven owners who pay $698 per year, five who pay $733, 22 pay $763, and 23 pay $863. All utilities including trash and general maintenance are paid by the county through the lot rent.
Snelling contended that many trailer house owners only use their trailers a few times during the year during a four or five month period. Otherwise the trailers are empty.
He agreed that an increase was necessary to cover expenses but just didn't want the county to "gouge" the trailer owners.
The commission also approved the purchase of a dock in the swimming area to replace a wooden dock. The dock will cost $11,373. There is $9,500 available in the lake's 2006 budget. The county general fund will cover the remaining $1,800.
Snelling said the new dock will be less than 14 inches out of the water, considerably lower than the old dock which sits 22 inches above the water. He hopes this will discourage people from diving.
The dock also will be wider but shorter to allow more access.
In other business:
— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa had the low bid of $13,908 for 6,550 gallons of diesel fuel at an average cost of $2.123 per gallon.
Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro also presented a bid of $14,361 for the same amount of fuel. The average cost per gallon was $2.193 per gallon.
— The commission approved the road and bridge department to specify brand names of tires when going out for bids.
County superintendent Jim Herzet said previously the bid specifications were tire sizes with the low bid being approved. Some foreign-made tires are not round, Herzet said, which causes problems when mounted on the front of trucks.
— Pay increases were approved for two road and bridge employees who had completed a year of employment.
