Residents press commissioners on Alcoa Trailer Park conditions and lake funds as parks board reorganization looms

Multiple residents raised concerns during public comment about living conditions, water service and the allocation of lake-related funds at Alcoa Trailer Park; commissioners said a reconstituted parks board and upcoming public meetings will provide a forum to address those problems.

Why it matters: Residents said the trailer park pays roughly $497,000 a year into a lake fund and asked for transparency about how that money is spent and why visible repairs in the park are not keeping pace with revenue. The commission and parks staff said the parks board is being reorganized and that staff and the board will consider equitable approaches to spending Lake Fund money.

Doug Malsam, who identified himself as a resident of Alcoa Trailer Park since 1992, described long-standing issues including unreliable water fill and aging black water lines, incomplete bathroom repairs at the park laundry/amenity building and debris and unauthorized dumping at and near park dumpsters. He said residents have asked for an accounting of funds and for capital work including sewer upgrades. “We pay $497,000 a year,” Malsam said. “Where does it go? I can tell you, it ain't been spent in a trailer park.”

Commissioner Nicholson and other commissioners said the county is moving to reorganize the parks board and hold a public meeting tomorrow to take comment on proposed rules; they encouraged residents to apply for open trustee positions so the lake and trailer-park interests have direct representation. Nicholson acknowledged a multi-million-dollar sewer estimate exists for the park and said the parks board would need to set priorities and look for funding sources.

Staff told residents the county has received lists of requested repairs and that staff would follow up with parks, legal and zoning offices. Commissioners asked residents to provide photographic documentation of specific code or trash concerns so staff can investigate. Commissioner Miller said he favors at least one parks-board member from the trailer park community to ensure their perspective is represented.

Votes at a glance: The consent agenda was approved later in the meeting (motion by Commissioner Laird; second by Commissioner Milner; vote: all in favor). No other formal votes tied directly to the public comments were recorded.

Outlook: Commissioners said a parks board meeting and a public hearing on park-rule amendments are scheduled and that the parks board will consider funding priorities; staff will pursue follow-up meetings and provide residents with requested information about fund allocations and capital estimates.