Commissioners to consider amending park ordinance, permit or sticker system for Lake Cassidy access after Memorial Day crowding concerns

Commissioners directed staff to prepare an amendment to Ordinance 19‑01 to enable a park‑access sticker or kiosk system and to examine enforcement options after sustained trash, vandalism and crowding at Lake Cassidy.

Background: County staff and commissioners said Memorial Day weekend and other busy periods have produced heavy trash, repeated porta‑potty damage and unaffiliated visitors accessing the site. Staff reported high trash volumes, multiple bags per cleanup, and concerns about public safety, access for emergency responders and repeated damage to temporary facilities.

Discussion: Commissioners and staff discussed several options: installing a gate with remote access or kiosk (like a ticket printer that issues dashboard passes), charging a per‑vehicle fee or sticker (county residents $40, nonresidents $100 was discussed), bolting a handicap‑accessible portable toilet to a concrete pad, and adding cameras. Staff noted limited access to power at the site and suggested solar options for a kiosk. Commissioner questions included who would administer permits, how to handle weekend enforcement and whether existing county ordinance 19‑01 provided authority to set fees or required amendment. The county’s attorney was asked to advise on constitutionality and prosecutability of enforcement actions.

Next steps: Staff was asked to draft an amendment to Ordinance 19‑01 with fee options, consult the state attorney about enforcement and constitutionality, and return with a recommendation and proposed implementation options (gate, kiosk, sticker program) including cost estimates. No funding or new fees were adopted at the meeting.