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Commissioners approve $8,000 camera system and mobile monitoring for Hommey Dam campground
Summary
Walsh County approved installation of additional cameras and monitoring at the Hommey Dam campground and accepted a volunteer camp host arrangement; the one‑time camera cost was estimated at about $8,000 with an ongoing monitoring fee of roughly $100 per month.
Walsh County commissioners on May 6 approved an initial plan to install additional security cameras and remote monitoring at the Hommey Dam campground and to use a camp host to improve site oversight.
Public works staff described repeated vandalism and damage to restroom facilities in prior years and said cameras installed previously reduced but did not eliminate incidents. A vendor proposal presented during the meeting estimated roughly $5,000 for cameras plus additional costs to run power; staff later summarized total up‑front costs at about $8,000 and ongoing monitoring at about $100 per month.
Commissioners discussed access controls and emergency access; staff said gates to the campground could be closed seasonally but emphasized that emergency access (law enforcement, EMS) must remain available. The board approved the camera purchase and monitoring contract and asked staff to continue measures to manage access seasonally and to work toward moving Hommey Dam information onto the county website rather than relying on a private Facebook page.
Separately, staff said the county had placed a camp host at the site who will perform cleaning duties and monitor facilities; the host will clean restrooms multiple times a day and report maintenance needs. Commissioners approved the cameras and monitoring by roll call vote.
