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Commissioners discuss parks ordinance changes: overnight camping limits, vendors and trial fees proposed
Summary
Parks staff presented ordinance edits to clarify overnight camping limits at dispersed sites, authorize vendor participation at park events, and propose a trial vendor fee schedule; commissioners asked for revisions and a public-hearing timeline.
County parks staff presented a draft ordinance to clarify permitted activities at county parks and campgrounds, to add vendor provisions for events, and to propose a trial fee approach for vendor participation.
Staff said the draft removes some site names from the earlier text and seeks to ensure the county can manage overnight camping at dispersed sites such as Fizz Spring while preserving permitted camping at established parks. Parks staff proposed treating Fizz Spring as a dispersed dry-camp site with a recommended maximum stay of 14 days; commissioners agreed staff should add a specific overnight limit to the ordinance text and circulate it for review.
A new vendor provision was discussed to permit food and retail vendors at park events and to require proof of insurance and a vendor permit. Staff proposed a modest fee structure for vendor participation—$35 without electrical service and $50 with electrical hookup—with a suggestion to trial vendor participation and a deposit or suggested donation approach in the first year. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate the vendor language with the county's existing event-permit form and to consult the parks advisory board before finalizing fees.
Staff and commissioners discussed scheduling: the ordinance revision will be circulated to commissioners and county legal counsel, and the commission will consider a public hearing and adoption timeline. Staff noted past practice: an emergency clause has been used previously to make ordinance provisions effective immediately in an earlier draft; commissioners directed staff to prepare final language and to coordinate the fee schedule and public-notice requirements prior to the next regular meeting or a scheduled special session.
Ending: Parks staff will incorporate the edits—adding a 14-day overnight limit for dispersed sites, vendor language, and fee proposals—circulate the redline to commissioners and legal counsel, and bring a final draft for a public hearing and adoption process.
