Franklin County RV park manager seeks sewer hook‑ups and cleaner accounting after high credit‑card fees

Sue Grant, manager of the Franklin County RV park, told commissioners the RV park’s revenue is roughly on par with prior years but that processing fees and a lack of full‑service hookups limit occupancy and income potential.

Grant said credit‑card processing fees are a persistent and growing expense; she reported about $12,000 in card fees so far this year and said she negotiates processors annually but fees creep back up. The park currently bundles credit‑card fees into rent rather than charging a separate convenience fee. Grant said the park’s monthly rates (she cited $700 a month or about $65 per day for full‑hookup pricing) are competitive with local parks but occupancy fluctuates and full hookups would likely increase occupancy and revenue.

She asked the board to consider installing sewer hookups at the park’s 13 spaces to enable full hookups (water and power are already present). Grant recalled a prior estimate of about $42,000 to add sewer for the 13 stalls and said she believed the investment could pay back in one to two years through higher occupancy and rates. She also requested shower upgrades to handle periods when tournament play and events bring more transient users.

Why it matters: The RV park is a county‑run enterprise fund with carryover cash; improvements that raise occupancy could increase self‑sustaining revenue while improving services for visitors and seasonal users.

What’s next: Staff noted the RV park fund had an available beginning fund balance that could support capital work; Grant and county staff agreed to meet to refine cost estimates and return with a formal proposal and numbers for board consideration.