Dogwood Lakes boat ramp issue remains unresolved after BOCC meeting

The proposed purchase of the Dogwood Lakes boat ramp was a major draw for local residents in attendance of the latest meeting of the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners, which convened Tuesday, August 6, with a packed house.

A post by Dogwood Lakes Golf Course owner Heather Shelby on the “What’s up Dogwood Lakes?” Facebook group appeared to have galvanized community interest. Shelby expressed her frustration with the decision to table the motion to purchase the boat ramp property from owner Don Smith, urging fellow landowners to attend the meeting to demonstrate their support.

 “The commissioners have approved a temporary fix to the small lake to the tune of $30 grand (temporary PVC fix per the engineers),” she wrote in the post. “The only feasible way to achieve a long term fix on a poor county budget is to purchase the lake property that has the public boat ramp access.”

She went on to reference an offer by local resident Don Smith to purchase the property with $10,000 down and $20,000 paid over 2 years. 

“If the county purchases this boat ramp property, the county can then get access to many water management/EPA grants,” she said. “Commissioner Brandon Newsom asked to table the vote on the boat ramp property until after the budget is updated in October.

However, the grant cycle will be over and it will be at least a year out to get a grant to potentially help …

We need them to buy the property now, sooner rather than later, to help our beautiful lakes and community.”

Commissioner Brandon Newsom responded to the post, advocating for a factual discussion and supporting the decision to table the purchase until after the budgeting meeting.

As the meeting commenced, all eyes were on Shelby as she approached the podium. 

“We are here tonight to ask for your undivided attention and have an open dialogue to find a resolution to the ongoing lake issues,” Shelby began. “My family and I are fully invested in our town, our community, and our business, Dogwood Lakes Golf Course. I ask the board to approve the purchase of the boat ramp property that Mr. Don Smith has offered.”

Shelby highlighted the advantages of county ownership of the boat ramp, including eligibility for current grant cycles that could fund lake repairs. She cited conversations with Liberty Partners, who confirmed that owning the property would improve the chances of securing necessary grants.

Following Shelby, Dogwood Lakes resident Anne Rodgers detailed the history of lake issues and previous decisions by the Board of County Commissioners. 

“The Holmes County Board voted to defer both proposals made by Allday-Howell engineer John Feeney,” said Rodgers. “At the time, I pleaded with them to at least fix the big lake, which had been in disrepair for 5 and a half years. They voted no, suggesting they would address the issue only when the little lake also encountered problems.”

In April 2024, the drop inlet riser on the little lake failed, adding to the urgency of the situation. As Rodgers concluded her remarks, expressing frustration over the lack of funding for lake repairs.

After hearing Rogers out, Commission Chairman Jeff Good moved to the next agenda item, prompting a vocal eruption from the crowd, which demanded a response.

Explaining that the issue had already been tabled until the budget meeting, Newsom rescinded his motion to table the discussion, deciding instead to move forward with a proposal to fund the boat ramp purchase. 

“I’m glad everyone’s here tonight so we can hear the options I’ve developed,” said Newsom, who went on to outline several alternatives, including selling the lake in a public auction, deeding it to the surrounding landowners, or selling the lakes outright. Ultimately, he motioned to purchase the boat ramp land from Don Smith for $55,000, contingent on an appraisal and interest paid back from the Busy Bee project funds.

Commissioner Phillip Music seconded the motion, but Chairman Good expressed concerns about the timing of the purchase, given uncertainties surrounding the Busy Bee deal. 

“We don’t know when or if the money will come back without a signed contract,” Good cautioned.

Following extensive discussion, Newsom called the motion to question, prompting Good to halt further debate. 

Commissioner Clint Erickson recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest as a Dogwood Lakes landowner, and Commissioner Earl Stafford reiterated his stance to wait until after the budget meeting to evaluate the purchase, citing budgetary constraints.

The final vote ended in a 2-2 tie, with Newsom and Music voting in favor and Good and Stafford in opposition. Good stressed that he does want to see the repair happen sooner rather than later, but he has funding concerns.

“I also don’t want to delay this another year or more, and I don’t want it contingent on uncertain funds,” said Good. “However, I agree with Mr. Stafford that I would like to see a budget first.”

The deadlock means the purchase remains undecided, leaving the community to await further developments in this ongoing issue.

Holmes County Advertiser will continue to following this issue as it develops.