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County to solicit new concessionaire for public shooting range; RFP to close Sept. 18
Summary
County staff told commissioners they will issue an RFP to replace the current concessionaire of the county-owned shooting range; proposals will be scored mainly on experience and business plan, with a Sept. 18 closing date and a planned contract start of Jan. 1.
Mike Moss, public services director, told the county board the county will issue a request for proposals to select a new concessionaire to operate the county-owned shooting range after the current lease ends Dec. 31, 2025. “Last year's full year attendance, they have a little over 6,100 people, use the gun range,” Moss said, citing use figures for the facility.
The request-for-proposals, Moss said, would close Sept. 18 if the board approves placing it on the agenda next Tuesday. Moss said the county expects to score proposals and have a contract by early October so the winning operator could begin managing the facility on Jan. 1.
The nut graf: County staff framed the RFP as a way to transfer most day-to-day operating costs to a concessionaire while prioritizing operator experience and a business plan over up-front financial payments to the county. That approach aims to reduce county maintenance spending while keeping the range open to the public.
County staff reported the current concession arrangement began with a lease signed in February 2008; the range opened in February 2013. The county received about $27,000 of user-fee revenue last year but spent roughly $68,000 from the general fund on utilities, septic and well repairs, fence work, electrical, trash pickup and other maintenance. Moss said some capital work has been funded by county dollars and grants, including a roughly $150,000 restroom project and about $240,000 in trap-house construction completed in 2024, with the latter partially supported by an RCO grant.
Under the advertised scoring rubric, staff said experience and business plan each will receive 40 points, references 10 points and financial benefit to the county 10 points. Moss said the county intentionally reduced the weight on immediate financial benefit because the RFP transfers many operating costs — electrical, septic, well maintenance and similar expenses — to the concessionaire. “So there's not gonna be a big benefit coming back to the county, but we're also not gonna be paying that much out in expenses from the general fund,” he said.
Moss said the sheriff’s 100-yard range is separate from the concession package covered by this RFP. He also noted that a portion of past capital work on the site was funded in part by county funds and in part by grants.
Board members asked about the scoring committee; one board member expressed interest in serving on that panel when proposals arrive. Moss said the initial contract term would be three years with up to two one-year extensions, for a potential five-year total. Staff said they expect at least two to three proposals but did not specify the number of interested parties. No formal vote was recorded; staff sought direction to place the RFP on the upcoming agenda and proceed with the procurement timeline.
Ending: The RFP timeline placed proposal closing on Sept. 18 and staff aim to present a recommended contract in October for a Jan. 1 operational start; staff said they will return to the board with scores and a recommendation if proposals are received.
