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Council debates whether campers should be required to connect to city water
Summary
Councilors discussed potentially allowing some campers to opt out of mandatory water connections to avoid low-usage meters and improve financial sustainability, but members said USDA approval and more data are needed; the council tabled action to collect counts and seek USDA guidance.
The council debated a proposed change to the city's water-connection ordinance that currently requires permanent residents to connect to the municipal water system regardless of structure type. Mayor (S1) said an initial assessment identified roughly 50–60 lots that used less than 6,000 gallons last year and suggested allowing certain camper-occupied lots to opt out so meters could be allocated where water use would be higher.
Council member (S3) pushed back, saying exemptions "hurt the rest of the community" by shifting costs to others and warned that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — which previously reviewed the city's resolution — would likely object to exemptions without further review. Mayor (S1) said the city needs more data and a USDA opinion quickly because contractor Hettinger will begin setting meters soon, and he estimated the city needs roughly "$65 a month from everybody connected to the system" to service the debt and maintain required reserves.
The council did not vote. Members directed staff to gather more precise lot-by-lot data, confirm how many camper-occupied lots might be eligible to opt out, and seek written guidance from the USDA before the next meeting (the mayor suggested returning in two weeks with additional information).
