Friends of Geode ask De Moines County for $20,000 to finish concession building ahead of 75th anniversary

Representatives of Friends of Geode asked the board for a one-time $20,000 contribution to complete and equip a concession building at Geode State Park, which they hope to open for the park’s 75th anniversary.

Ron Heling, vice president of Friends of Geode, told supervisors the concession building had been abandoned for decades and required extensive work to reopen. A 2016 state engineering review estimated about $160,000 to bring the structure up to code; Friends of Geode opted to take on the project and have completed much of the work through donated labor and materials. Recent expenses included about $5,500 to replace four window units and hundreds of volunteer hours. Heling said the group had most of the funds to finish structural work but still needed roughly $75,000 to finish the building and to purchase watercraft, coolers/freezers and concession supplies; they asked the county to consider a $20,000 one-time contribution.

Several supervisors praised the Friends’ efforts and acknowledged the project’s value for the tri-county area, but multiple board members said they were constrained by revenue caps and recent state-level tax changes (discussed as House File 718 in the meeting) that limit the county’s General Basic fund and make diverting operating dollars for donations unlikely. One supervisor said they would not be comfortable taking money from the General Basic fund given its role in meeting mandatory county obligations.

Heling said the state Department of Natural Resources had earlier indicated they would help with a new water line but, after further budget reductions, told the group they could not complete the work. The Friends reported continuing to solicit private donations and described the concession as an asset for regional tourism and boat rentals.

Board reaction was sympathetic but cautious: staff and supervisors requested the Friends continue fundraising and pursue Henry County’s support (much of the park is in that county), and said county funding through the general-basic fund would be difficult under current levy and revenue-cap constraints. The board did not take a formal vote to appropriate funds at the meeting.

Next steps: Friends of Geode will continue fundraising and coordinate with Henry County and the DNR; board members suggested placing the request on a future agenda only if additional funding options become available.