Parks board approves modest rate increases and facility-fee changes; several motions pass unanimously

The parks board voted on a package of fee changes for 2026 that will raise seasonal camping and marina rates by 3% and adjust several facility and storage fees.

A board member moved to increase seasonal camping and marina rates by 3% across the board; the motion was seconded and the board approved it unanimously (5–0). The board recorded the vote as a consensus in favor of the 3% increase. A separate motion to increase offseason storage rates by 3% was also moved, seconded and approved 5–0.

On facility rentals, the board debated setting different prices for the recreation (wreck) hall — which includes a kitchen and indoor restrooms — and the open-air pavilion. After discussion comparing local rental comparables, a motion to set full-day fees at $75 for the rec hall and $50 for the pavilion passed 5–0.

During debate, staff briefed members on revenue and occupancy trends: seasonal site yield was presented as typically in the $5,000–$6,000 range, while prime lakeside nightly sites can yield roughly $10,000 per site per season. Members cautioned about sensitivity to fixed‑income seasonal users when considering larger increases; one board member recalled that a past 20% rate jump led to churn before the market stabilized.

The board also discussed reservation behavior in peak weeks where some users book long windows to secure holiday weekends and then shorten their stays. Staff described the reservation deposit structure (a $40 payment composed of a $10 reservation fee and $30 toward camping), and the board declined to add penalty or special premium booking fees for the coming season.

All votes on the adopted items were unanimous; the board did not change deposit or cancellation policies at this meeting and left more substantive structural rate changes (such as creating a new prime-seasonal class) for future consideration.