Parks and Waterways asks for an additional park ranger as use climbs; proposes boat-launch and dock capital projects funded from user fees

Parks and Waterways Director (Snyder) told the Board that visitor demand and county population growth justify adding one full‑time park ranger. The department said its workforce has shrunk over the past two decades while county population — and visitor pressure at parks and launches — has increased, leaving a five‑person field staff stretched thin across 21 boat launches, 10 parks and multiple trail systems.

Director Snyder said the department’s FY26 operating budget is nearly flat, with some small increases tied to utilities and bringing an acquired airport facility out of a lease. Snyder emphasized that the park-ranger addition is needed to maintain service levels, respond to peak‑season staffing gaps and increase staff resilience to sickness and vacations.

On capital, Snyder proposed replacing a dock at Upper Twin with a fixed pier system better able to withstand ice movement; and a concrete boat‑launch project at Mica Bay (work staged during low water) to be paid from restricted boat‑launch user‑fee funds. He also requested the board consider a $5,000 contribution toward a community‑led launch project near Black Rock (Worley Highway District serving as permitting agency). Funding for most park capital was proposed to come from restricted user fees, not general property tax.

Snyder warned that snowmobile program revenues have trended downward and that the county may need to scale operations if revenue does not recover. He also proposed a vehicle replacement funded across multiple department lines.

Ending: The board heard the request and acknowledged revenue and service pressures; staff will include the ranger request and capital proposals in forthcoming budget deliberations and noted restricted user‑fee funds would be used for boat‑launch projects.