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Friends group asks Des Moines County for $20,000 to finish state-park concession building
Summary
Friends at GEOD requested a one-time $20,000 county contribution to finish renovating a concession building at Geo State Park and to purchase watercraft and equipment; supervisors said they sympathize but cited levy caps and revenue limits and did not commit funds at the meeting.
Ron Helling, vice president of Friends at GEOD, asked the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors for a one-time contribution of $20,000 so the nonprofit can finish converting a long-unused concession building into a staffed concession and rental facility ahead of the park’s 75th anniversary. Helling described repairs already completed, roughly $26,000 in donated labor and materials so far, and additional needs including watercraft, coolers and security hardware.
Helling said a state engineer previously estimated $160,000 to bring the building up to code but the friends group has refurbished much of it through donations and volunteer labor. “We have enough of the funds to finish the building, but it’s going to cost about $75,000 to go the rest of the way,” Helling said, asking the board to consider a $20,000 contribution.
Supervisors expressed appreciation for the volunteers’ work but declined to commit funds at the meeting. One supervisor noted House File 718 and revenue caps on the county’s general basic fund, saying the county does not typically make donations from that fund and is constrained by levy limits. “I’m sympathetic, and I’m proud of you. You’ve done a great job out there,” one supervisor said, but added the county budget and statutory caps limit options.
Why it matters: the project would reactivate a facility in and near a state park, potentially increasing local recreation access and small-business activity while requiring one-time county support if private fundraising falls short.
What’s next: the board did not approve a county contribution during the meeting and agreed to wish the friends group luck and, where appropriate, continue discussing funding options later. Helling indicated he had spoken with Henry County officials about partnering there as well.
