Fees for tenants going up at Lake Lawtonka

Visitors who lease space for RVs and boathouses at Lake Lawtonka’s School House Slough will pay more in January.

But they also should enjoy the services of a convenience store and lakeside fueling system again.

The actions are part of a series of decisions centered on recreation at city lakes, in particular Lake Lawtonka’s School House Slough. The City of Lawton has been in charge of that concession since longtime operator Kent Waller ended his lease Dec. 31, 2022. The area has been without a convenience store and fueling system since then.

Discussion topics have included the idea of increasing annual fees for those who hold full-time leases for campers, trailers, boathouse and dry/wet stalls sites located at Lawtonka’s recreation areas. The City Council indicated Tuesday they agree with the staff recommendation to increase those annual fees 25 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Staff members said a majority of those full-time leases are at School House Slough. A study of that concession area showed only 40 percent of full-time tenants are Lawton residents (127 out of 313 people). Sixty percent live outside of Lawton, which is why city staff wants to explore the idea of a two-tier lease system, charging higher fees for non-residents.

Deputy City Manager Dewayne Burk said it is important to begin moving on these proposals, adding the fee increases also were recommended by Halff Associates, the consultant the council hired to craft master plans for multiple recreation-related activities and entities. Burk said the idea is raising lease fees until they reflect the fair market value of what is being stored there.

He said Half recommended a minimum annual RV site fee of $4,200, which is less than surrounding RV parks. A staff survey of 13 RV parks found their average annual fee is $5,000, with five charging $6,000 annually. Lawton charges up to $2,800, depending on where the site is located.

“We’re looking at incremental until we establish fair market value,” Burk said, predicting fees would be increased 25 percent a year for three years to reach that goal.

Increased fees are tied to a focus on upgrades and expansion, and both lake users and recreational entities have said fees generated by users should be put back into city lakes. That issue is a driving factor for the Lakes and Land Commission, a citizens group that is an advisory board to the City Council. That committee did not give its recommendation to the idea of raising user fees, Burk said.

Committee Chairman Mark Scott said committee members like some ideas being proposed; for example, soliciting proposals from those interested in operating School House Slough’s store and fueling system.

“There’s no controversy there at all,” Scott said, adding the issue is that people are now getting what they pay in leases — which isn’t much.

So, raising those fees significantly means there should be more amenities, and that means revenue generated by the increases must come back to the lakes, Scott said. And, he said residents who use the lakes need to be part of the discussion about what to do with the money.

“Raising prices without this is an error,” Scott said, of residential participation and a plan for upgrades.

He said committee members and lake tenants want upgrades in water and sewer lines (waterline freezes in the winter are common); an itemized priority list of upgrades; assurances that surplus funds would be put into escrow for lake projects; and a trust authority to operate the lakes.

Mayor Stan Booker agreed with the idea of a formal plan, asking the council to direct city staff to create a $3 million plan for lakes upgrades. He said that business plan is necessary before the council considers a trust authority.

Ward 8 Councilman Randy Warren said he likes the plan “mainly, because it is a plan.” He said city officials and residents have long discussed making the lakes self- sufficient, which is why a plan is crucial.

“Otherwise, the City of Lawton could put a fence around it and call it a reservoir, which is what it is,” Warren said of Lake Lawtonka (the lake is home to Lawton’s primary water treatment plant).

Council members directed city staff to bring back a resolution for consideration in December setting rate increases, but also want information on a two-tiered fee system for resident and non-resident fees, and details on a $3 million upgrade plan that would include wi-fi for lake areas and waterline/sewer line upgrades.