Conservation staff presented a plan to upgrade the boat ramp, parking and access at Gateway Park and Preserve in Marengo, proposing a $247,000 project that staff say would be reimbursed 75% by a state water-recreational access grant.

The proposal, presented during the Aug. 29 meeting of the Iowa County Board of Supervisors, would use a mix of donated funds and county funds to pay project costs up front and then seek reimbursement from the state grant. Conservation staff estimated the state portion at $185,783 and the county’s share at $61,947; staff also said roughly $155,000 in donation funds are available to offset county costs.

The board’s discussion focused on two practical questions: whether the project should be scaled back to a minimal repair and how the county would provide the upfront funding while still receiving grant reimbursements.

Conservation presenter said the project would remake the boat launch area that becomes unusable in low water, add designated parking (including handicap stalls), and improve a short trail so people would not walk in the roadway. "The state will cover 75% of the cost of this project," the presenter said, noting the grant is fuel-tax revenue designated for water recreational access.

Supervisors pressed for options. One supervisor asked whether simply repairing two damaged concrete panels on the ramp would cost less than the county share; staff said a contractor previously estimated roughly $4,000 per panel and that the $247,000 figure is a high-level “worst-case” cost opinion intended to avoid undercounting needs. Staff said design choices — for example crushed rock instead of concrete for some surfaces — could reduce cost and that the estimates will be refined in design.

Board members raised broader budget priorities. Several supervisors objected to committing county funds now for what one described as a project that benefits a relatively small number of regular users, arguing maintenance and road projects elsewhere are higher priorities. Other supervisors said the grant money is specifically earmarked for conservation projects and would otherwise go unused by other counties, and they argued improved facilities could increase local economic activity from anglers and park users.

Because the county does not have the full amount of grant-fronting funds readily available, the board did not approve the project at the meeting. Instead, supervisors asked conservation staff to return at the next meeting with a clear financing plan showing (1) which donated funds and which internal conservation accounts would pay the upfront costs, (2) an updated cost estimate reflecting lower-cost design alternatives (for example crushed-rock parking), and (3) a timeline for reimbursement from the state grant.

Staff also said public donations already pledged to the project total roughly $50,000 (recently increased) and that internal donation accounts contain additional funds; staff committed to itemizing those sources when they return with the refined proposal.

The board did not take a final vote on the Gateway Park concept; supervisors agreed to revisit the proposal once staff presents the requested financing and revised cost figures.

Ending: The county’s conservation office will return to the supervisors next week with a detailed breakdown of upfront funding sources, updated cost estimates and a reimbursement timeline before the board considers formal approval.