County begins budget research, requests

A lack of ice, a lake improvement project and an uncertain future have the Union County Conservation department not sure about the department’s revenue this year.

Conservation Director Doug Jones met with the Union County Board of Supervisors Monday to review his department’s fiscal year 2025 budget, which starts July 1. Supervisors historically spend January researching revenue and expenses for the fiscal year budget. No action was taken Monday.

“No ice, no ice fishing,” he said about how the mild winter has not created ideal fishing conditions. It’s common for ice fisherman to rent the Three Mile Lake cabins. “That means, lost revenue.”

It’s not just the lack of ice. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has begun a Three Mile Lake improvement project that includes preventing additional sediment from entering the water. A silt dam, on the north end of the lake, takes in soil that flows with water entering the lake. The eroded soil within the water is left in layers on the north end and not enter the entire body of water. The silt dam is nearing capacity and additional silt will eventually flow into the rest of the lake without changes.

In 2007, the lake itself was about 810 acres and had about 13,000 acre feet of water. An acre feet of water is the amount of water one foot in depth over one acre. When measured in 2019, it had reduced to 793 acres and closer to 12,000 acre feet of water because of the silt accumulation. The watershed for the lake is about 23,700 acres.

The work, that started in August, is to increase capacity for silt accumulation and prevent silt from depositing into the body of the lake. Other work includes strategic shoreline improvements and fish habitat.

For all of that to happen, the water level in the lake must be lowered and has been lowered at least 8 feet. Releasing more water may happen.

“Are they going to come,” Jones rhetorically asked about those who use the lake during the warmer months of the year.

He is unsure if less water amounts will make the lake less enjoyable for recreation. Southern Iowa Rural Water Association is also using Three Mile Lake for its water treatment plant. The state plans to start refilling the lake in February 2025.

Jones said his department’s annual revenue is typically about $160,000. During the COVID pandemic which forced people to go outside to be away from others, revenue went as high as $230,000 as people purchased campers, kayaks and other water devices.

“Now we are down to about $200,000,” he said about the revenue.

New this year to conservation, is the plan to build two new lodges at Three Mile near the water’s edge. Jones said the schedule is expected to have the bids open in April for the various work related to building the lodges. Jones said plans are in the works to replace the log siding on the existing cabins as it is becoming difficult to maintain.

2024 will be the year for the Union County Fair Board to catch their breath.

That was the comment from fair board representative Ben Adamson during his meeting Monday with supervisors about the fiscal year 2025 budget. Adamson said the fair board is only requesting $25,000 from the county knowing how extensive and costly last year was.

“In eight years you see the progress,” Adamson said, referring to his time on the board. “It would not be possible without the board of supervisors.”

Last year, the fair introduced its new grandstand seating, lighting and small-animal barn. Those items were funded from the county’s American Rescue funds provided by the federal government to local municipalities to make up for lost revenue during the COVID pandemic. Adamson said there are no major projects planned this year by the board. Adamson said the fair board did borrow other funds to help pay for the small-animal barn. Adjacent to the animal barn is a covered patio with seating that has been well received he said.

Adamson said the new work at the fairgrounds in Afton has shown in attendance and use of the fairgrounds.

“The buildings only stay good if you maintain them,” he said.

Adamson said the fairgrounds are being used for more than just the annual fair, which is scheduled this year to begin July 19. Union County is becoming a popular spot for certain breed shows and livestock sales throughout the year. Adamson credits the facilities for the increased use. Adamson said the board is also proud how quickly livestock use can be forgotten when the show arena is converted to a wedding venue. Multiple weddings have been held at the fairgrounds.

Union County Buildings and Grounds Shawn Lauer said the state has directed counties to improve security with doors and other access in courtroom-related offices.