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Parks asks commissioners for $110,000 to fund entrance sign, lighting and landscaping at off-road vehicle park
Summary
Spokane County Parks staff requested an additional $110,000 to complete entrance signage, lighting and landscaping at the county's off-road vehicle park; staff said the request would increase contingency to roughly 10 percent and allow a finished entry experience for four park operators.
Mikey (parks staff) asked the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners during the April 22 briefing to approve an additional $110,000 for the county's off-road vehicle park project to fund upgraded entrance signage, lighting and landscape work that were alternates in the construction bids.
Mikey said earlier federal/state grant timelines had threatened the project schedule but the funder extended the closeout deadline by 12 to possibly 18 months, removing immediate time pressure. With the existing appropriation staff said they can complete the base work (quarter-mile entry road, gatehouse demolition, gate location, security lighting and a maintenance-built sign); the requested $110,000 would allow award of alternates to construct the higher-quality basalt-and-Corten-steel sign, install lighting for evening events and add landscaping and irrigation if contingency allows.
Why it matters: Parks staff said the upgrade provides a durable, professional entrance with interchangeable panels for the four park operators and is aimed at finishing the facility rather than leaving operator-supplied temporary signage in place. The parks director and commissioners discussed funding sources: staff identified REIT (REIT 1 and REIT 2 referenced) and a possible car-rental-tax allocation as options and noted previous commitments of approximately $1 million from REIT 1 toward another project (Lansbury/Ferry) that must still be honored.
Commissioners asked staff about impacts to the six-year capital-improvement plan and whether using REIT funds now would reduce the pool for future projects. Parks staff said a $110,000 allocation would not create major concerns for the CIP and recommended using REIT funds if the board approves; one commissioner asked staff to confirm exact line-item availability before finalizing the award.
Next steps: Parks will confirm the recommended contractor's qualifications, provide documentation on funding sources and proposed CIP amendments, and proceed with contract award if the board approves funding at a future action agenda. No formal funding decision was made during the briefing.
