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County approves $39,000 contingency transfer to finish camper-cabin site at county park
Summary
The board approved a $39,000 transfer from contingency to Parks & Forests capital to complete a vault toilet building, well and site work required to license new camper cabins. Supporters said the facilities will generate revenue; opponents raised process and timing concerns. Vote passed 24-3 (two-thirds required).
The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 19 approved a $39,000 transfer from the county contingency fund to Parks & Forests capital to complete vault-toilet construction, a new well and related site work required to license a set of camper-cabin (previously described as "yurts") units at **** Forks Campground.
Supervisor Knight and parks staff explained the transfer is the last piece needed for licensure and to open the cabins to reservations. Parks Director Josh told the board the $39,000 estimate covers the vault-toilet building (typical cost about $20,000), site work and installation of a well to meet campground licensing rules. As an alternative, staff said the county could temporarily place a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty and provide bottled water, but that option would be less desirable and could carry recurring rental costs.
Supporters emphasized near-term revenue prospects. Parks staff projected conservatively each unit could be rented for at least 100 nights annually and estimated roughly $20,000 in annual revenue from the new cabins; backers said that would shorten payback to about two years.
Opponents and some board members expressed concern about drawing from contingency early in the year and noted process questions about capital-list transparency. Finance committee members said the project was in the capital plan but the specific licensing requirement had not been highlighted during the capital review, which contributed to the timing.
The motion to transfer $39,000 from contingency to Parks & Forests capital funds passed on a two-thirds vote, 24-3. The parks director said construction and water work would be scheduled to be ready for the upcoming camping season.
