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Chippewa County to lease and operate Lake Wessota boat landing from Xcel Energy, creates capped non-lapsing fund
Summary
The board approved a lease with Xcel Energy to operate the Lake Wessota boat landing, authorizing county operation and a non-lapsing fund with a $50,000 cap for capital needs; staff described a digital-payments model and enforcement options, and an Xcel representative confirmed the site is a FERC-authorized recreation facility.
The Chippewa County Board of Supervisors voted on March 10 to approve Resolution 9-26, authorizing the county to enter a lease with Xcel Energy to operate the Lake Wessota boat landing (formerly Rod and Gun Boat Landing). The resolution also creates a non-lapsing fund capped at $50,000 to reserve excess revenues for capital improvements and major maintenance.
County staff summarized the background: Xcel Energy contacted the county after the previous operator (the Rod and Gun Club) declined to continue leasing; staff said the landing fits with existing county recreational assets and is fee-supported. Staff said the county does not expect to add permanent staffing in the short term and anticipates revenues will offset operating expenses (porta-potties, electricity, snow plowing). The lease is structured year-to-year so the county can exit if the arrangement proves unworkable.
Staff outlined payment and enforcement options: online and digital payment tied to the county campground reservation system, season passes, onsite drop boxes or cell payment, and periodic patrols to match license plates. Staff also said there are vendor solutions that combine camera systems and license-plate readers used by other municipalities to enforce boat-landing fees without full-time staffing.
Matt Miller, an Xcel Energy representative, told the board Xcel owns the parcel and that it is a FERC-authorized recreational facility; Xcel is not interested in operating the landing but sought a local partner. “It is considered a recreational facility approved by FERC,” Miller said, and described the company’s historical relationship with the prior operator.
Supervisor Bergman supported county operation to avoid overflow and parking issues at other landings but cautioned that he does not support expanding pay-to-use fees to other county-operated landings: “I do not support the concept of the pay to use, trickling out to any other county operated boat landings,” he said. After discussion the board approved the resolution.
The resolution authorizes corporation counsel to prepare documents and the county administrator to execute the lease; staff said the county would assume operation no later than May 1, 2026.
