The Buena Vista County Conservation Board and BV County Supervisors are reviewing an updated management and title transfer agreement from the DNR for the Casino Beach Marina property.

According to a news release, both parties are expected to take the next steps to move forward with the agreement, which will include surveying and document creation for items such as dividing the property into two parcels. The DNR will retain seven acres of the property, including the fishery, jetty, and beach area, and the remainder of the property will be transferred to BV County.

BV County Conservation Director Greg Johnson says county officials will review the documents together soon. Johnson is hopeful they can complete the agreement, survey work, and transfer by the end of the calendar year, when the current management agreement expires.

The local subcommittee has been following up on their work stemming from a public meeting held early this year to gather interest in operating a full marina or restaurant on the property. The subcommittee received one online form submission with interest to operate a full marina, and six online form submissions with interest to operate a restaurant.

The subcommittee remains steadfast in addressing the needs of the public, and is contemplating steps that could be taken. One of the priorities is to provide a bait shop for recreational users. The subcommittee also discussed looking into the option of utilizing the lakefront building as a rental venue similar to other shelter houses in the county.

The public is encouraged to email constructive feedback on the bait shop, lakefront shelter house venue, and schedule events with food trucks to bvcountymarina@gmail.com.