The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 approved capital repairs at Sunbeam Lake RV Resort, authorized a loan-style budget amendment to fund the work and adopted a three-year site-rate increase schedule, but adjusted the timing of increases after residents and supervisors raised concerns about notice and affordability.

Executive Office Budget Administrator Andrea Gonzales asked the board to approve $49,649.02 for two county projects (replacement of three HVAC units and three pool/spa heaters) and a budget-amendment resolution in the amount of $61,881 to be structured as a short-term loan from CEO Budget and Finance. Gonzales said the county contracts daily operations to a manager but retains capital responsibility and that Sunbeam, acquired by the county in 2011, had not seen a board-approved rate increase since acquisition.

The board approved single-source procurement for replacement units and the budget amendment. Residents who spoke during the public hearing said they supported needed repairs but objected to a three-year schedule that, as noticed, would increase some annual-site rents by 15% in the first year and another 15% in a later year (residents characterized the increases as a 45% cumulative rise). Several snowbird residents and long-term tenants asked for slower implementation and said they had not received timely notice.

Gonzales and County Counsel explained that staff compared Sunbeam's current rates to two local private RV parks and found Sunbeam's annual rates materially lower; staff recommended a 15% increase for annual sites and an 8% increase for daily/weekly/monthly rates to bring Sunbeam more in line with comparable local parks. Gonzales said the combined projected three-year revenue increase would be about $285,800 and that the increases support deferred capital needs.

Supervisor Ryan Kelly moved to approve the rate changes but amend the schedule so increases occur once per year (calendar-year January dates were proposed by the board during discussion); Supervisor Peggy Price seconded and the board approved the motion. Staff said the county preferred a July 1 fiscal-year implementation but could accommodate a January schedule to respond to resident concerns. The board also approved the capital purchases and single-source vendor award for HVAC replacement.

Sunbeam staff and residents described infrastructure needs including aging air-conditioning units (some 30 years old), pool and spa heaters and cracked concrete. A longtime resident described on-site repairs conducted by park maintenance staff and urged faster, transparent work, while an activities chairperson asked the county to restore a working hot tub heater before an upcoming tournament.

Notes: County staff said the budget amendment would be structured as a loan with program revenue used to repay the general fund; the board approved the purchases and authorized the rate schedule with the calendar-year implementation modification.