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Cowlitz County reviews Parks & Recreation January budget, staffing and Riverside Park issues
Summary
County staff presented January financials for Parks & Recreation, noted the division operates with two full-time staff plus seasonal help, and commissioners discussed vandalism, recent improvements at Riverside Park and a recurring request to allow licensed converted UTVs.
Kathy Funk Baxter, Cowlitz County finance director, and Sean Roehle of Public Works presented January financial results for the county parks program and answered commissioners’ questions about staffing and park operations.
Baxter said parks personnel costs are budgeted at $234,242 for the year and January payrolls reflected one payroll cycle; supplies are budgeted at $34,350. Roehle said parks’ miscellaneous revenue is mainly rental fees for pavilions, picnic areas and RV sites (Harry Gardner Park and Riverside Park were cited). January receipts were about $2,145 against a $44,000 annual budget for miscellaneous revenue.
Roehle confirmed the parks division currently shows two full-time staff (2.0 FTE) and that summer seasonal helpers have been used in recent years. Commissioners emphasized the geographic span of the parks program and the workload for two staff.
Commissioners raised vandalism at Riverside Park. A parks staff member reported vandalism has “dropped drastically” compared with prior discussions; commissioners credited recent arrests as a likely deterrent. The board discussed recent court and police involvement but did not take formal enforcement actions at the meeting.
One commissioner again urged that licensed, converted UTVs be allowed in Riverside Park to permit family members to legally travel to park areas. A parks official said the county park board handles vehicle-permitting decisions and that the matter can be raised to that board at its next meeting.
No budget adjustments or formal staff changes were approved at the meeting; staff said January internal-service billings can affect month-to-month results and that capital projects are not budgeted for the year.
