Campground fees at Citizens Lake in Monmouth are likely to increase after discussion at the most recent city council meeting.
The current rates/proposed new rates:
- Per night: $25/$40
- Per week: $125/$135
- Per month: $350/$450
The price increase would go into effect at the start of the 2025 camping season.
The prices include access to use of water, sewer, and electricity at the campground. Campers also have access to amenities such as the bathhouse, fishing, and a playground.
The last time fees were raised was more than three years ago.
“There was a general sense among the council members that we were probably underpriced in the market,” said Monmouth City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher.
The Riverside campground in Keithsburg charges $25 a night and $430 a month. Timberview Lakes campground in Bushnell charges $35 a night and $450 a month. Both campgrounds provide amenities similar to what is offered at Citizens Lake.
Raising the fees could help Monmouth with the costs associated with maintaining Citizens Lake.
“We don’t treat the campground as a self-sustaining cost center or an enterprise fund,” Steinbrecher said. “There is a sense that if we were to track all the expenses and apply them against the revenue, that more than likely it would not be profitable in and of itself.”
The ordinance to increase campground fees will be considered at the next Monmouth City Council meeting on Monday, July 1.
Citizens Lake is located on the west side of U.S. Route 34. It offers seasonal fishing and outdoor pavilions for picnics, along with the campground.
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