WAHOO, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will manage the operation of Lake Wanahoo until a definitive agreement is reached, possibly as soon as February.
The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District board of directors has given the nod to the basic concepts for a joint operation with Game and Parks. A final agreement should go to the Natural Resources District board next month.
NRD General Manager John Miyoshi said approving at least the basic concepts was important because the Game and Parks board meets later this month and needs to know a direction.
The concepts to be included in the proposed three-year agreement:
» An $136,000 operations budget, already negotiated between the NRD and Game and Parks, with expenses split 54.5 percent to 45.5 percent between the agencies. The NRD's commitment would be the lesser amount of a budgeted $61,856 per year. Revenue from Lake Wanahoo is projected to be about $74,000 annually.
» Both agencies would contribute to build a restroom and shower house for about $150,000.
» Game and Parks would make a one-time payment of $30,000 to the NRD for a maintenance building. The district would pick up the remainder of the cost for the $49,114 building.
» The two agencies would share the $64,247 estimated income from camper rentals. If revenue exceeds that number annually, Game and Parks would pay the NRD 5 percent of the receipts above the amount. Likewise, if receipts fall below the estimated amount, the NRD will pay Game and Parks 5 percent of the receipts below that amount.
Approval of the concepts came earlier this week, but not without long discussion and a split vote.
NRD board member Don Kavan of Morse Bluff questioned approving the concepts before there is an agreement. He said that tied the hands of the board at the February meeting.
"That's predetermining the vote," he said.
Board member Gene Ruzicka disagreed. He said the board could make a decision based on what was presented in the agreement next month.
"If it's not acceptable when they come back from negotiations, we will not approve," Ruzicka said.
Several NRD board members have objected to having Game and Parks take over operation of Lake Wanahoo. The board this week discussed but rejected the idea of the NRD operating the park.
Lake Wanahoo is scheduled to open in April.
Roger Kuhn, parks director for Game and Parks, said having the agency operate Lake Wanahoo brings an intangible benefit: promotion and marketing.
"I think that brings some benefit to the table," he said.
Kuhn said he grew up near the Louisville State Recreation Area and has seen firsthand how a well-run, well-used park can benefit the surrounding area.
"Don't underestimate the value of tourism as an economic engine," he said.
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