Heather Holub came to the Marion County Commission Monday with plans and proposed contract for her and her siblings to build four overnight camping cabins at Marion County Lake for about $25,000 each.
The expected completion date would be Memorial Day 2011, unless delays would move it up to July 4.
The cabins would be located in the area between the heated dock and the trailer homes on the west side of the county owned lake, she said, with room to expand to 11 cabins if the cabins prove successful.
In addition to the frame, insulated cabins with log siding, there would be an office cabin including a public laundromat, she said.
County Commissioner Dan Holub excused himself from the meeting during the cabin discussion to avoid conflict of interest because Heather Holub is his daughter.
Heather Holub said the 20-by-16 feet cabins would be built with a large open area and a sleeping loft inside with only the bathroom walled off.
She said they could include twin beds, a fold-out couch, air conditioning, a gas fireplace, a refrigerator, oven, microwave, coffeepot, dining and cooking utensils, cable television, cable access, full-length covered porch, a fire pit and porch benches.
Holub called the cabins a ?win-win development for her family and the county? with half-time occupancy estimated revenue at $73,000 for $100 per night rent with $6,683 going to the county.
Holub estimated the county income based on $730 for one percent sales tax, $4,380 based upon a six percent bed tax, and $1,573 based upon a 2.1 percent lease fee to the county.
In addition to this income, she estimated property tax on the cabins at $825 each.
Holub said her family would carry at least $500,000 insurance on the cabins.
She said they also would be prepared to absorb losses if the cabins don?t do well thus avoiding any harm to the county.
Holub said her family would like the commissioners to agree to at least a 50-year lease with up to 99 years preferable to enable more favorable bank financing.
Commission Chairman Randy Dallke said the lease term and rate will need to be researched.
Commissioner Bob Hein said the cabins are highly needed at the lake, but the matter will have to be researched by County Attorney Susan Robson.
Park Superintendent Steve Hudson said he gets probably an average of two calls weekly asking if cabins are available at the lake.
Holub said it is anticipated that customers will include campers, hunters, family reunions and out-of-town wedding and funeral guests.
She doesn?t anticipate cabins being competition for motels or beds and breakfasts because of the differences in prices and what they offer.
Other business
The commissioners approved an estimate of $52,752 from the engineering firm of Kirkham Michael, Omaha, Neb., for repair on seven miles of roads for reimbursement from Keystone Pipe?line construction if Keystone will increase its community contribution grant from $26,620 to $30,000.
Road and Bridge Director Jim Herzet said most of the damage requires patching and small repairs by the county crew.
He asked the commissioners to follow a recommendation from Kirkham Michael to do road borings of the south Tampa road to see what kind of asphalt surfacing will best hold up there.
The commissioners told Jim Newkirk they will have to talk to Robson to determine what to do about allowing his request to drive a golf cart at Marion County Lake because of disabilities.
Newkirk said he is allowed to use the cart locally in Texas, where he spends part of the winters. He said he insures the cart, and it does have signals.
Sheriff Robert Craft said there is a concern for the county that it could be violating state statutes governing carts if Newkirk?s request is granted.
Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt reported 30 hauls of municipal solid waste at 501.07 tons plus 107.56 tons of commercial and demolition waste for November at a cost of $38.11 for fuel, driver and tipping fees.
The commissioners said they will be discussing disposal of $8,000 in funds held for the Marion County Economic Development Council now that MCEDC seems to have become inactive.
Nov. 30 meeting
The commissioners met Tuesday, Nov. 30, in an $862,065 payday meeting.
County Clerk Carol Maggard announced the county received the largest sales-tax payout from the state for September in records going back through 2003, $61,060.
The county received notice from the state that the Florence Opera House building has been approved to be sent for inclusion on the National Registry of Historic Places.
