Marion County approves $3,732 dock replacement; denies full campground reservation request

The Marion County Board of Commissioners voted May 11 to accept a vendor estimate of $3,732 to replace a damaged section of an EZ Dock float at the public dock. Parks staff said the vendor determined the damage was caused by a boat strike and that the manufacturer's lifetime warranty does not cover damage of that type.

Isaac (Speaker 8) told the board the vendor inspected the float and found the section unrepairable. He asked the board to authorize purchase and replacement prior to the summer season. Staff recommended using the capital outlay line to fund the replacement. A motion to accept the bid from Easy Dock for $3,732 passed by voice vote.

The board also discussed a request from the Kansas Camping Association for an exclusive reservation of the lake campground and lake hall from June 10'013, 2027. The campground has 32 sites; the organizer said it likely would bring 25 to 30 campers but proposed paying for every site to hold the area.

Commissioners expressed concern about setting a reservation precedent and about impacts on regular users during a busy season. The board indicated it would not make an exception for a summer weekend and suggested the group consider an off-season date or a recurring multi-year date. Staff was asked to follow up with the organizer.

The dock replacement will be purchased from Easy Dock and charged to the parks capital outlay budget line as authorized by the board.