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 start date for the new concessionaire. - Scoring weights: experience 40 points, business plan 40 points, references 10 points, financial benefit to the county 10 points. Moss said county staff shifted some maintenance obligations (septic, well, utilities) to the concessionaire so the county’s general-fund outlay should decline even if direct revenue to the county is modest. - Recent capital work: a $150,000 restroom project (partly RCO grant-funded) and two trap houses completed in 2024 at a cost of about $240,000; staff noted other site repairs such as paving, guardrail and drainage had been paid by county funds and grants. River Suites purchase for Office of Public Defense Moss and Sean Roe, finance manager for Public Works, presented a negotiated purchase price for two floors at River Suites, 1801 First Avenue, Longview, that staff recommended the board authorize to complete. Moss said staff negotiated $217,000 for each half of the third floor (total $434,000) and $455,000 for the first floor, for a combined purchase price of $889,000. The floors together provide roughly 8,000 square feet and elevator access to the third floor. Moss said staff had placed earnest money and completed an inspection and that the building owner (an HOA structure) holds approximately $81,000 in reserves targeted to long-term capital projects. “That was 1 concern. ... It’s actually in really good shape,” Moss reported after a rooftop inspection. Commissioners gave general direction to proceed and indicated a county official could sign closing documents. Why it matters If the county transfers routine maintenance costs to a concessionaire, the county expects to reduce general-fund expenditures for the range while retaining public access. Purchasing River Suites would provide OPD with contiguous office space near the courthouse and juvenile facilities, potentially reducing ongoing lease costs at other locations. Discussion points and next steps - Commissioners asked the county to invite at least two or three proposals for the range RFP and to include a commissioner on the scoring committee if desired. Moss said the concession contract would initially be three years with up to two one-year extensions. - For River Suites, staff said intended interior changes would be modest (some cabinetry and sinks removed in a limited set of rooms) and estimated tenant improvements in the low tens of thousands, with larger projects routed through capital project budgeting if needed. - Staff requested direction to complete the purchase and to designate who signs closing documents; commissioners agreed that the public-services director may proceed with final steps. Actions recorded - Direction to issue the shooting-range concessionaire RFP with a planned Sept. 18 closing and to score proposals based on the posted criteria. - Board direction to continue negotiations and to proceed toward closing on the River Suites floors at a total negotiated price of $889,000; staff to finalize closing paperwork and coordinate tenant improvements for OPD.