Muncie parks board discusses Prairie Creek rates, summer electricity spike and water‑company negotiations; board approves winter storage for current campers

The Muncie Parks and Recreation Board on Aug. 19 spent a large portion of its meeting on Prairie Creek Reservoir finances and long‑term operations, including rising electrical costs, dock and campsite counts, a possible electrical surcharge, and uncertainty arising from ongoing negotiations with the water company over the number of campsites and docks that may be permitted.

At the start of the discussion staff warned the board that Prairie Creek is financially self‑sustaining and that changes the water company may require — including a reduction in permitted campsites or docks — could materially affect Prairie Creek’s budget and require new revenue or service reductions. “They have not provided a number with campsites that they're gonna allow,” staff said; that unresolved point makes long‑term planning difficult.

Electricity and possible surcharge: Parks staff provided electrical billing data to the board showing a winter average of roughly $3,500 per month and summer averages above $11,000 per month; the highest single month in 2024 exceeded $15,000. To address rising electrical operating costs staff floated an initial proposal for a separate annual electrical surcharge of $200 per campsite (presented as a starting discussion point, not a final decision).

Docks, launc…