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Vernon County committee approves new special‑event park permit and buys mower and trailer
Summary
The committee approved a new 'one‑time event' park lease agreement that adds screening and fees for large gatherings and approved purchases of a replacement mower and a tilt‑bed trailer; members amended the agreement to allow higher deposits for bigger events.
The Vernon County Land and Water Conservation Committee approved a new special‑event park lease agreement intended to screen and regulate large, one‑time gatherings in county parks, and separately approved purchases of a replacement mower and a tilt‑bed trailer for park and dam work. Committee members said the measures are designed to protect park resources and limit unanticipated staff time and cleanup costs.
Marty (parks staff) presented the special‑event agreement as a tool to screen large requests and to reserve the county's right to require additional deposits, permitting and cleanup fees. "Our vision is to still have church clubs, schools, anybody who wants to use it on a small level ... It's when we get wind of something that it might be big, we have some framework to police the park the way we would see fit," Marty said. Presenters said routine shelter reservations for small groups would remain easy but larger or commercial events would require extra review.
Committee members discussed fee tiers and deposit levels. Marty said the agreement includes a base application/approval fee and a deposit scale tied to expected attendance; there was concern that a $100 deposit for 200 people and $300 for 1,000 people might not cover cleanup or damages. Committee members agreed to amend the plan to allow larger deposits when necessary. The motion to approve the park event lease agreement passed on a committee voice vote (mover: Dave; second: Daniel).
Separately, the committee approved the purchase of a replacement commercial mower. Marty said the department budgeted $20,000 and recommended replacing an older machine with the same Kubota model; Nathaniel moved the purchase and Mary seconded it. The motion passed on a voice vote.
The committee also approved buying a 14,000‑pound tilt‑bed trailer to replace an older trailer used to haul skid steers and park equipment. The new trailer was described as safer and better for loading heavy equipment; the committee voted to buy the trailer and to sell the old trailer. The purchase motion was seconded and approved. Presenters said the department will continue to refine fee and deposit levels after one season of experience.
Record of formal actions taken at the meeting appears below.
