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Parks department accepts $25,000 lifeguard grant; Middle Falls move‑in and $25,000 capital transfer approved
Summary
The county parks department accepted an approximately $25,000 grant to support lifeguard recruitment and additional seasonal positions, approved plans for the Middle Falls facility move-in, and requested a $25,000 budget amendment to cover outstanding capital costs on the Burgoyne building project.
Washington County Parks reported approval of a 2024–25 grant of about $25,000 to support lifeguard salaries, recruitment and an extra training class, and the parks director asked the board to accept the award.
The parks director said the grant was written to fund lifeguard salaries and recruitment (a $22,500 component) plus approximately $2,500 for an extra training class; staff said the department will accept the award and forward the paperwork to finance. The department previously expanded lifeguard staffing (from roughly eight or nine seasonal lifeguards to about 15) to create more part‑time positions and recruitment flexibility; the mayor noted the grant will fund additional positions but will not retroactively pay last season’s raises.
Separately, the Parks director reported the Middle Falls move‑in target date as Sept. 22. Staff described final punch‑list work, pump installations and pump‑out completion; IT and other contractors will stage technology and furnishings sequentially to allow staged occupancy. The meeting included facility updates on epoxy floors, site work and insurance‑and‑occupancy transition planning for Middle Falls and the new maintenance complex (Burgoyne/Fort projects).
The county also approved a written request from the buildings and grounds team to transfer $25,000 into the Burgoyne capital project to cover outstanding owner‑supplied materials and near‑term contractor invoices; the committee moved the transfer to finance and the measure passed on committee voice vote.
Staff said construction contracts will remain open for a period after occupancy to allow final paperwork, holdbacks and final bills to be processed and that final contract closeout may take a couple of months after move‑in. The parks director said some site repairs (such as glass replacement and other punch‑list items) will remain to be scheduled after occupancy.
