Klamath County to create parks sub-department for Spence Mountain; board authorizes interim encumbrance and work plan

Klamath County commissioners agreed on April 1 to create a sub-department under the parks fund for Spence Mountain and to authorize interim encumbrance of funds so staff can proceed with site work and vault-toilet installation, county staff said.

Parks and other staff described the need to speed procurement and contracting for a vault toilet, crane-pad preparation and an access path; they warned that missing the county’s May deadline would jeopardize planned mountain-bike and running events. Staff explained that the existing procurement and signature authority process required multiple sign-offs that could delay work past the May deadline.

To streamline short-term spending and project management, staff proposed either establishing a sub-department under parks or creating an entirely new fund. The board directed staff to set up a Spence Mountain sub-department within the parks fund starting July 1 and to allow Jeremy (staff member assigned to Spence Mountain) to encumber and expend funds from that sub-department. Commissioners agreed to leave current spending and transfers in place through June 30 while the sub-department is formally created for the next fiscal year.

Staff noted additional long-term needs for Spence Mountain, including a master plan and forest management grants, and said tourism-related grant funding is expected to transfer into parks once awarded. Tom (parks staff) had already been given authority to sign for the restroom purchase; Jeremy and staff will handle remaining installation contracts once encumbrance authority is in place.

Ending

Staff will set up a Spence Mountain sub-department under the parks fund effective July 1, and in the short term continue existing encumbrances and transfers through June 30 so installation and races scheduled for May can proceed. Staff will coordinate budgeting and any grant transfers as awards are received.