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Hubbard County staff outline park visitor center, permitting software demo and HRA parcel sales
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Summary
At a work session, staff described plans for a roughly 1,000‑square‑foot visitor center at Deep Lake Park (preliminary estimate about $800,000), a May 4 demo of Tyler permitting software, and an HRA plan to parcel an 80‑acre Farden Township property into saleable lots.
Hubbard County staff used Tuesday’s work session to brief commissioners on several capital‑planning and operational items: a proposed visitor center at Deep Lake Park, progress on permitting/licensing software, and a plan to parcel and sell an 80‑acre HRA property in Farden Township.
Visitor center and park planning: Staff member said an initial concept for Deep Lake Park includes a ~1,000‑square‑foot building with restrooms and a small kitchenette to support rentals and meetings, and a 30-by-40 main room with additional storage for park equipment. Staff estimated a construction cost in the neighborhood of $800,000 and said environmental services recently staked setback lines; staff and contractors plan a site walk to verify building placement relative to roads and parking.
Permitting software and Tyler demo: Staff said the county’s multi‑year effort to modernize permitting and licensing software is at a decision point. “Tyler is one answer,” Staff member said and confirmed a Tyler demonstration is scheduled for May 4. Staff emphasized the need for a system that ties permitting to parcel/GIS data and that does not increase staff workload.
HRA parceling in Farden Township: Staff described an 80‑acre parcel north of the railroad that the HRA may parcel into 8–10 lots and offer for sale; because Farden does not have county zoning, uses would be governed by shoreland and county rules. Staff said the county would likely present a public‑hearing date in May and make parcels available in June.
Other capital items: Staff updated the board on 2024 draft financial reports and audit timing for component units (HRA and the county nursing home), noting delayed component audits could affect the county’s bond‑rating review if draft financials are not available in time. The session also covered a potential transit building site that may need a city variance for setbacks; staff said they are investigating an adjacent lot as an alternative.
Next steps: Staff will return with draft letters supporting Clay County’s requested psychiatric residential treatment resources, present permitting‑software cost and workflow comparisons after the Tyler demo, and bring public‑hearing details on the HRA parcel sales to the next board meeting.
