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Lake Access committee and regional shelter report budgets, services and rising needs
Summary
The Lake Access committee reported little change in its budget but noted higher septic and utility costs and described services provided around Devil's Lake. The Lake Region Community Shelter said demand is high, is seeking to expand from 12 to 15 beds pending a fire inspection, and warned the shelter could close if county funding stopped.
Ramsey County heard two community service updates: a budget and program summary from the Lake Access committee and a capacity update from the Lake Region Community Shelter.
Susie presented the Lake Access budget, saying “Not a whole lot has changed, on the budget from year over year. We did update our system a little bit so we can itemize everything into QuickBooks now.” She said Lake Access is budgeting $50,000 for North Dakota Game and Fish (last year actual was $57,000), and that expenses rose slightly in septic removal and utilities. She reported total Lake Access expenses of about $86,549 and listed services covered by the committee: five public boat landings (weed control, mowing, garbage, porta potties), three summer fish‑cleaning stations with septic pumping, one year‑round cleaning station, three ADA shore‑fishing piers with vault toilets, shore‑access step systems, Ruger Park shore fishing and Lakewood Park chair lifts, parking lot maintenance and seasonal dock removal and installation.
Brenda, representing Lake Region Community Shelter, said “The shelter stays at full capacity almost every single day” and that demand increased since a local safe‑closing program ended. She said the shelter maintains a sober‑free policy with breathalyzer and drug testing and is seeking to expand from 12 to 15 beds pending fire department approval. When asked what would happen if county funding ceased, she answered: “The shelter would probably close.” Brenda cited multiple causes driving homelessness locally — addiction, mental health and lack of affordable housing — and described case manager work with human services and outpatient treatment referrals.
Why it matters: both items describe county‑funded and county‑adjacent services used by local residents and visitors; Lake Access upkeep supports recreation and tourism infrastructure while the shelter provides emergency housing to residents with multiple co‑occurring needs.
Ending: Commissioners thanked the presenters; no formal budget votes occurred on these items during the excerpt.
