Carroll County Conservation Director, Jason Christensen, and members of his board put together a proposal for the construction of a second cabin and a new east side shelter house at Swan Lake. Christensen says the new cabin would replace the converted concession stand, near the campground, that was reconfigured into a modest lodging. It was rented 71 days last year and has been averaging between $4,000 and $5,000 in revenues annually. The new one, he says, would be usable 175 days a year at a rate of $120 per night, with projected revenue of $21,000 per year.
The Carroll Supervisors did not have a problem with the estimated $118,000 project that would use about $80,000 in Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) proceeds. More questions, however, were raised about the $371,500 east side shelter that would take around $150,000 in L.O.S.T dollars. Conservation board member, Kenny Snyder, says the foundation has pledged to raise a minimum of $100,000 for the project, but they would like to have a commitment from the supervisors on the funding request. He adds they expect to generate approximately $40,000 annually in rental revenues. Supervisor Chair, Neil Bock, says he wants to have answers from the legislature before committing.
Bock preferred to table the decision until the next meeting, after finding out more about the mental health levy and a legislative proposal that could limit county income. Bock says he believes they need to step back and not make a decision based on an emotional reaction. Dean Schettler responded.
That motion died for a lack of a second. Another, made by Gene Meiners, that they approve the cabin with L.O.S.T. support and revisit the shelter house proposal next week was approved on a vote of four in favor and one, Neil Bock, against.
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