County plans for new lake cabins

Union County Conservation Director Doug Jones told the Union County Board of Supervisors Monday the preliminary plan is to begin taking bids this winter for the two housekeeping cabins planned to be built near the campground at Three Mile Lake.

The cabins will be funded by $720,000 of the county’s American Rescue funds provided by the federal government during the COVID pandemic to make up for lost revenue. Union County received about $2.37 million. The cabin proposal has since received $50,000 from other sources.

“We want them as close to the lake as we could,” Jones said describing the project. The cabins, which will be neighbors, will be near the water as a floating dock will be provided for each one. Power to charge boat batteries will be installed. There will not be a boat ramp at the cabins. Jones said knowing how water levels at Three Mile fluctuate, if water levels reach the top of the dam, the cabins will still be dry.

County officials have begun all the permit applications related to construction and the cabins themselves. Jones expects different bids for certain parts of the construction. It is likely area contractors will be eligible for the work.

“We want the bids so anyone can get it,” Jones said.

The cabins are planned to be three bedrooms, one bathroom with a loft. The loft will be open space allowing additional sleeping area. The cabins will measure about 28 feet by 44 feet plus an 8-feet covered porch at the entrance. The cabins will be handicap accessible and have full kitchen and laundry services. Two of the three bedrooms will hold three people. Each cabin will have water and sewer.

Jones said the intent is for the cabins to not have traffic from the campsites. One of the campsites will be converted to a road entrance to reach the cabins. Traffic from the campground to the cabins will be intended only for those who are using the cabins. Some trees are expected to be removed for construction of the cabins.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has begun a lengthy and extensive rehabilitation project of Three Mile Lake. The water level has been dropped 8 feet and Jones expects another 4 feet to be lowered during the winter months. He does not foresee the lake work to interfere with the cabin construction in the spring.

“We’re going to get them done,” Jones said.

Union County Board of Supervisors approved spending $720,000 of the county’s American Rescue Plan funds for the two housekeeping cabins at Three Mile Lake. The funding was from the federal government’s $2.37 million for Union County to make up for loss funds during the COVID pandemic. All of the county’s funds must be spent by 2026.

Jones has said all lodging revenue at Three Mile Lake averages $160,000 a year. The amount jumped to $230,000 during the pandemic as it forced people to do more outdoor, recreation activities.

In other county news...

Supervisors suggested Emergency Management Director Jo Duckworth create acceptable 911 addresses for five certain wind turbines located in the northwest corner of the county. Duckworth said she has been researching the issue and was informed by MidAmerican Energy representatives of how they would like the addresses created.

Duckworth said MidAmerican’s idea does not use the road most accessible to the turbines in question and addresses would be confusing for 911 dispatch and first responders. MidAmerican said it would like one address for multiple turbines. Duckworth said to make the address easier, she would like to name an access road.

“I don’t know how it would be dispatched,” Duckworth said.

Supervisors and Duckworth agreed a fire will be easier to spot by first responders and they would know where to go. But not all 911 calls have easily visible evidence as first responders would need an address to use.