FLORENCE — Lauderdale County commissioners have been assured that electrical problems at Brush Creek campgrounds will be resolved before it opens March 16.

“I talked with Richard Morrisey (manager of Florence Electric Department) and he said they had plans to replace 690 feet of electrical line,” said Robert Bevis, the county’s solid water manager. Bevis also oversees the county’s public campgrounds at Waterloo and Wheeler Dam.

Bevis said the county pays a maintenance and upkeep charge of $92 per month and that would increase to about $150 per month after the new line is installed.

“They say it will cost $5,000 for the upgrade, but we will not be out any money up front. It will be taken care of through the monthly increase,” Bevis said. “It’s a pretty good deal for us.”

Commission Chairman Dewey Mitchell said the repairs will result in an estimated $700-per-year increase for the county.

“We really don’t have a choice, if we are going to continue to operate the facility,” Mitchell added.

Commissioner Fay Parker, who lives in Waterloo, said the park gets heavy use and the electrical problem needs to be repaired.

“If this will replace the damaged area and get the electricity to the bathhouse, I’m all for it,” Parker said.

The bathhouse has been without electricity since May.

Bevis said the problem involves where the underground wiring system connects with the bathhouse.

The park on Lauderdale 14 is owned by Tennessee Valley Authority, but the county has a 99-year lease.

The site has 50 acres with primitive camping. There is no fee to camp, and Bevis said people stay in tents and campers.

There are no electrical or water hookups, but there are bathroom facilities with cold showers and a dumping station.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740--5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.