Kittitas County approves raise in dry-camping rate at fairgrounds from $30 to $40 per night

Kittitas County commissioners on Thursday approved Resolution 2025-19 to raise dry-camping rates at the county event center lot at Central Washington University from $30 to $40 per night.

The change, presented by Katie Portfield, the county event center director, corrects what staff said was a long-standing recordkeeping error and updates rates that Portfield said had not been raised in 12 to 13 years.

Portfield told the board that past records were inconsistent and that when she previously brought the fee to the board she had mistakenly described it as a weekly rate rather than a daily one. "Our records from past years were not well kept, and so I mistook that for how we go ahead and charge that," she said. After reviewing the usage and value of the lot — described in the meeting as the music hall lot at CWU — staff proposed increasing dry-camping to $40 per night.

During the public comment period, Michelle Shook, a parent and long-time fair exhibitor, urged the board to reconsider charging higher rates during fair week for 4‑H and FFA families who volunteer and exhibit at the fair. Shook said she emailed Portfield on May 21 and raised concerns that fair exhibitors were being charged a premium — citing an example that a week during the fair could cost about $400 — and that notification of the proposed increase had been limited.

A member of the board responding during discussion said the county follows public-noticing laws and defended the increase as necessary to keep fees aligned with rising costs, arguing it is unfair for taxpayers to subsidize a small group of users while costs increase. County staff also said fees collected from the event center are used to maintain the facility and that the event center receives an annual subsidy in the general fund.

The board voted to approve Resolution 2025-19. The record shows the motion carried with all members present voting in favor.

The action updates the county's posted rate for dry camping at the event center lot; staff said the additional revenue will help cover ongoing maintenance for aging facilities.