Pottawatomie County Conservation staff presented the department’s annual report to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, reporting higher volunteer engagement, strong user‑fee revenues at Crescent Hill (formerly Mount Crescent) and a third‑party economic analysis estimating a $3.35 return to the local economy for each county tax dollar invested in the parks.

Jeff Franco, executive director of conservation, told supervisors volunteer hours rose from just under 10,000 last year to more than 14,000 in the current reporting year. Franco also summarized financials for parks operations and for Crescent Hill at Hitchcock, saying Crescent Hill posted revenues that exceeded expenses by about $595,000 in the year covered by the report. “We had $935,000 in expenses last year and our revenues were nearly $600,000 over those expenses. So a very good year at Crested Hill,” Franco said.

Franco cited a statewide third‑party analysis (Iowa County Conservation system data) showing that the parks’ economic impact to Pottawatomie County exceeded $8 million, which drove the $3.35 return‑on‑investment calculation. Board members asked about cost allocation and whether county departments (payroll, HR, IT) absorb costs related to the facility; staff responded that many internal support functions are provided within regular departmental work and that most operational costs are covered by user fees.

Supervisors and conservation board members also discussed land‑acquisition plans for Hitchcock Nature Center, multi‑season planning for Crescent Hill and liability/insurance questions for recreation operations. Conservation staff said state liability protections and waivers generally limit county exposure for guests on recreational facilities but acknowledged minor exceptions (minors, workers' compensation) and noted staff would coordinate further with the county attorney and insurance carrier.

Action taken: presentation only; no Board action requested. Supervisors thanked conservation staff and asked for follow‑up information on specific cost and insurance allocations if needed.

Why it matters: the annual report documents recreational and economic benefits from county parks, highlights rising volunteer support, and raises questions about cost allocation, insurance and long‑term land‑acquisition planning for Hitchcock Nature Center and Crescent Hill’s four‑season potential.