Mono County and Town of Mammoth Lakes approve Whitmore Recreation Area joint operations agreement; town to credit $300,000

The Mono County Board of Supervisors approved a joint operations and maintenance agreement with the Town of Mammoth Lakes for the Whitmore Recreation Area on May 13, 2025. The town adopted the agreement last month; the county vote was 5–0.

County administrative staff told the board the town will provide the county a $300,000 credit that staff described as reimbursement for past unbilled animal-services expenses. The agreement allocates responsibilities: the town will manage most maintenance and operations for recreation facilities, and the county will continue to manage the animal shelter operations. Under the agreement, the town will bill the county for its share of maintenance and, after deducting facility revenue, the county will reimburse no more than 50% of actual net costs subject to an annual cap (initial cap $178,000) that may increase by no more than 5% per year.

Supervisors asked for additional detail about who collects program fees at the site and whether county revenues or geothermal funds could be applied to support operations; county staff said they would follow up with the town and review funding options during the budget process. Board members noted the facility is widely used by county residents, school groups and clubs, and requested periodic reviews of the agreement once pending leases or capital projects discussed by the town are finalized.

The board approved the agreement and directed staff to return with any recommended changes or further clarification if the town’s future lease activity or capital plans alter responsibilities or costs. No public comments were received during the item.