CLINTON — The DeWitt County Board is split on how to approach the future of the Clinton Lake marina.  Some board members favor investing in marina upgrades to enhance its ability to generate revenue; others prefer focusing on reducing marina losses.

Members exchanged frank comments about the marina during the board’s Sept. 22 meeting.  The county owns the marina area and contracts for the facility’s management.

Jay Wickenhauser suggested the county’s current agreement with Joe Caldwell for marina management be allowed to expire at the end of this year.  He felt the county should accept bids from other management firms and negotiate for better terms.

Other board members favored extending Caldwell’s contract for two years, while the county invests in upgrades to the marina.

“There are a lot of obvious things that need to be done out at the marina,” said marina committee chairman Dan Matthews. 

Matthews listed a number of areas of concern, including repair of the gas dock, installation of a new breakwater, complete work to the parking lot,  as well as erosion control, replacement of Dock #1, add 12-14 new slips to Dock #14, upgrade ramp restrooms and add showers and laundry facilities.

Matthews said the work could be accomplished over the next two years and “would be a terrific way to move forward with the marina.”

He said part of the plan included retaining Caldwell’s 1125 Property Management under a two-year contract extension.

• See the complete story in the Friday, Oct. 1 print edition of the Clinton Journal or now in the Journal E-Edition for subscribers.