The Starke County Park Board still wants to do some more research before making a final decision on electrical upgrades at the Bass Lake Campground. The facility’s operator, Callahan Development LLC, wants to increase the electrical capacity in the back half of the property and is asking the county to deduct the $7,800 cost from its rent payment.
Callahan’s contract allows for credits for approved capital projects. But due to the number of credits already received, Callahan won’t have to pay any rent for some time.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Board President Richard Ballard pointed out that none of the board members were sure exactly how much of a credit Callahan has accumulated so far. “I do think we should get kind of a handle on how much money we’re in the hole in the thing and just kind of see where we are,” Ballard said. “But on the other hand, bottom line is we’re stuck with the lease, and we’ve got to do what the lease requires, I guess.”
County Attorney Marty Lucas suggested checking with the Auditor’s Office, and Board Member Rik Ritzler said he has a big stack of park board records from his predecessor on the board, Debbie Mix.
Board Member Butch Gerstandt felt that Callahan should pay for the upgrades itself. “They’ve got, what, 60 sites, and he’s saying they’ve got $100,000 campers and that coming in now,” Gerstandt said. “Just raise the price of the rent of the campers, even $100 each, and you’ll have it. He’ll have the money in hand, and that’ll pay for them big campers coming in. And it’s over.”
Board members also reiterated their concerns that Callahan’s current fees encouraged the campground to be used as an RV storage lot and that the county isn’t getting income from renting the facility to Callahan. The Starke County Park Board has been discussing this particular round of electrical upgrades since August.
