The manager of the Alcova Marina deducted $1,900 from his lease payment to Natrona County for labor costs related to electrical repairs after county crews cut the power to boat lifts in August.

"The issue was we shut the power off, and it cost him (Kyle Sowell) some business," county Road and Bridge Department Supervisor Mike Haigler told the commissioners at a work session on Tuesday.

But the county must receive the full amount of the lease payment to meet the requirements of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Haigler said. The bureau owns the land around the Alcova Reservoir.

The bureau has an agreement that the county manage and maintain that property, and collect rent from tenants who use the public land, including the marina, trailer park, cabins, and the boat and ski clubs. The county uses those fees, based on market value, to develop the beaches, picnic areas, restrooms and roads.

In March, Haigler announced new five-year lease rates, and the marina's rate rose 8.5 percent from $9,490 to $10,300.

The Bureau of Reclamation also requires those with leases to conform to county fire and safety codes.

But in August, county crews suddenly and temporarily cut the power to some boat lifts at the marina because of an electrical code violation.

Sowell had the equipment necessary for the repairs, but he had to hire professionals to install it and he wants the county to cover those costs, Haigler said, citing a letter he received from Sowell.

"We can resolve that another way, but it can't come out of the lease," Haigler told commissioners.

Sowell himself did not attend the commission work session.

Reached at his home, Sowell said he sent the lease payment for a partial amount, and told Haigler and commissioner Jon Campbell of his decision.

He plans to talk to Haigler today, and believes they can reach a solution, he said.

"All I could do was bring it to their attention," Sowell said. "It's not an issue we're going to have a conflict over."

In the letter, County Attorney Eric Nelson said Sowell claimed the county was unjust in what it did and should compensate him.

In response to a question from commissioner Terry Wingerter, Haigler said the county does not reimburse those who lease trailer spaces if a window breaks on their mobile home.

Commissioner Barb Peryam said the lease payment is a separate issue from whether the county should do anything to compensate Sowell for the labor costs.

"We certainly cannot accept this (partial payment)," Peryam said. "Kyle has to submit the entire check."

Campbell wanted Sowell to submit a detailed explanation of the specific labor costs before the county decided whether any compensation could take place.

Commission Chairman Rob Hendry added the county had to act when informed of the electrical code violations.

"When it became a safety issue, there was no turning back," he said.

Reach Tom Morton at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@trib.com.