The Oscoda Township Board of Trustees approved new seasonal campsite rates for Old Orchard Campground for the 2027 camping season during its Aug. 24 meeting, with each seasonal site category increasing by $500.
The approved increases will raise the annual rate for electric and water sites from $2,500 to $3,000. The corresponding daily rate will increase from $16 to $19, while the monthly rate will rise from $500 to $600.
Rustic waterfront sites will increase from $1,250 to $1,750 per season, from $6 to $9 per day and from $208 to $291 per month. Rustic backlot sites will rise from $1,000 to $1,500 per season, from $5 to $8 per day and from $166 to $250 per month.
According to information presented to the board, the rates had remained unchanged for two years despite higher operating expenses for utilities, maintenance, labor, equipment and supplies. Township staff said the adjustments are intended to help maintain campground facilities and services while supporting the property’s long-term financial sustainability.
Staff also indicated that the campground is expected to remain competitively priced compared with other campgrounds in the region, where some operators are also anticipating rate increases for 2027.
The timing of the decision was also linked to the campground’s seasonal sales process, with rate information expected to be distributed to prospective seasonal campers in the coming weeks.
The proposed increases prompted discussion among trustees over whether the same $500 increase should apply across all three site categories. Supervisor Nicole Tregear questioned comparisons with nearby campgrounds, noting that differences in amenities and recent improvements could make direct price comparisons difficult.
Clerk Heather Tait pointed to higher costs for goods and services as a factor behind the increases.
“Even if there were no updates to the actual structures, the cost of everything has gone up,” she said.
Tregear acknowledged rising expenses but questioned whether the full increase should be passed on to campers in a single year.
“I understand that the cost of goods and services have gone up for electricity and possibly garbage removal,” Tregear responded. “I just don’t see a justification to raise the rates by $500 per campsite in a one-year period. I just don’t.”
Trustee Tim Cummings said the campground had historically used conservative rate increases and remained less expensive than other campsites in the area. Tregear proposed delaying the increases until additional documentation was available and the township had progressed further into its next fiscal year’s budget process.
Trustee Mark Wygant argued that failing to increase campground rates could shift more of the operating cost onto the township and, ultimately, taxpayers.
“So either some costs need to be passed on to the people that are actually using the campground or you’re effectively levying an additional tax on your citizens,” he elaborated. “You’re spending their tax dollars to subsidize tourism.”
Trustee Jeff Linderman raised a separate concern about the use of a flat $500 increase. Based on the existing rates, the change represents a 20% increase for electric and water sites, compared with 40% for rustic waterfront sites and 50% for rustic backlot sites.
“In my opinion, it’s kind of hard to slap a flat number on all three types of campsites,” he told Oscoda Press. “I would much rather see a percentage-based approach to increasing the fees.”
Tregear’s motion to reject the rate increases did not receive enough support to advance. A subsequent motion by Trustee Regina Fortner, supported by Treasurer Jaimie McGuire, passed 5-2, with Tregear and Linderman voting against it.
For campground operators, the decision illustrates one consideration in setting seasonal rates: a uniform dollar increase can produce significantly different percentage changes depending on the underlying price of each site category.
Operators reviewing their own rates may therefore need to weigh operating-cost recovery against how different pricing structures affect various customer segments. Communicating changes ahead of the booking and renewal cycle can also give seasonal customers more time to assess the new rates.
The board also addressed several infrastructure and municipal matters during the Aug. 24 meeting. Trustees unanimously approved cybersecurity upgrades to the township’s SCADA system, including replacement of 13 of 22 cellular modems that could not support enhanced security measures. The quoted cost for replacing and reprogramming the equipment was $19,325.
Other unanimously approved items included a new electric sign at Township Hall, authorization of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund project agreement for improvements to the Oscoda Beach Park restroom and shower building, an attorney-client fee agreement with The Kelly Firm, and authorization to seek proposals for independent auditing services. The board also scheduled budget workshops for Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 28, pending library availability.
