County plans RFP for shooting-range concessionaire and advances purchase of River Suites for public defense offices

Public Services Director Mike Moss briefed the Board of Commissioners on two facility matters: a request-for-proposals (RFP) to replace or reappoint the shooting-range concessionaire and a negotiated purchase of space at River Suites for the Office of Public Defense (OPD). Moss said the current concessionaire’s lease, with Game and Anglers, runs through Dec. 31, 2025, and that the county will issue an RFP to solicit new proposals. Attendance at the range last year was about 6,100 visits; the county’s share of daily-fee receipts totaled roughly $27,000 in the prior year. Moss said annual operational costs paid from the general fund were about $68,000, excluding capital projects. “We mainly did it on experience,” Moss said of the RFP scoring approach, noting experience and a business plan will receive the largest weight in ranking proposals. RFP highlights - Proposed closing date for proposals: Sept. 18, 2025; scoring committee to review and recommend a contract by early October with a Jan. 1 contract…