At their meeting Thursday morning, the Hamilton County Conservation Board looked at future projeccts for the parks of the county. Conservation director Brian Lammers said that the funding for these projects will be made possible through the ARPA ( American Rescue Plan Act). One of the projects is for the installing of a new shower house at Little Wall Lake. The cost for the project is not to exceed $265,000. The second is for installing four new playgrounds at both Briggs Woods and Little Wall Lake Parks at a cost not to exceed $244,588. The third is for the golf course irrigation pump system at Briggs Woods Golf Course at a cost not to exceed $290,000. The engineering work would be through the efforts of WHKS Engineering of Ames. The conservation board will review the funding of these projects with the Hamilton County Supervisors.
The overall fiscal year budget for the conservation department was review and approved by the board Thursday. The 2023 fiscal year budget is set at $1,577,616. Tax askings with the general supplemental and general basic property tax is at $554,000. The budget numbers will be submitted to the Hamilton County supervisors for their review and approval.
In another matter, the Hamilton County conservation board approved the second reading of the 2022 rules and regulations. They include the removal of all tree stands be removeed within ten days of the hunting season. All ATVs and snowmobile operators are advised that it is unlawful to operate on any land controllled by the conservation department with the exception of properly licensed vehicles on designated main roadways. As for park hours,the conservation department will allow parking at the Briggs Woods beach parking lot after 10:30 P.,M. for fishing only. The same would apply along the pull off on Highway 69 near Little Wall Lake south of Jewell.
At the county park campgrounds, all campers and visitors are advised to clean up and dispose of pet waste.No wading pools will be allowed to be set up at the camp sites.
Another new rule is for the renting of a golf cart at Briggs Woods Golf Course. All renters must sign a rental agreement and have a credit or debit card and a driver’s license until the cart is returned.
The next scheduled meeting of the Hamilton County Conservation Board will be on Wednesday,March 23 at 8:30 at the Briggs Woods Park conservation office.