Lake County Water Authority finishes Hickory Point boat ramp upgrades, saves taxpayers about $318,620

Sean Bode, the Lake County Water Authority’s grants program manager, told trustees the Hickory Point boat ramp project has been completed and the agency maximized federal funding to reduce local cost. Bode said the work expanded from an original, six-ramp phase to replace all 12 ramps after staff requested a scope revision and a time extension that extended the grant expiration to Sept. 2025.

“Doing so did increase the share of cost for the LCWA, but this was actually beneficial,” Bode said, explaining the revision allowed the authority to use every federal dollar available and secure reimbursement. Recreation coordinator Chuck Gross described the physical improvements, noting the new ramps are longer, deeper and use more stable floats that accommodate larger boats and better serve the sheriff’s marine unit.

The board was told the total project cost is $2,122,119. Officials said that without federal funding the authority’s share would have been about $1,288,789, but after capturing available grants the Lake County Water Authority’s actual share is $970,001.69, producing a reported savings of about $318,620 to taxpayers. The authority funded the project upfront and expects reimbursement of approximately $1,151,950.

Trustees praised staff for saving the grant after staff identified the imminent agreement expiration and pursued amendment requests with federal and state agencies. Board members noted the contractor completed both phases ahead of schedule and discussed plans for a public ribbon-cutting or grand-opening event in February.

Next steps: the authority will seek the anticipated federal reimbursement and proceed with a planned public opening and publicity to highlight the project.