Valley County commissioners agree to sign letter of support for Mountain Community Center District, with wording change

Johanna DeFort, Valley County treasurer and a Donnelly resident, presented a proposal from the Mountain Community Center District on March 17 asking county commissioners to support placing a district on the ballot that would fund a covered indoor multi-use field house and future facilities.

DeFort told the Valley County Board of Commissioners the district, called an "auditorium district" under Idaho law, would use a travel and lodging tax of up to 5 percent on hotels, motels and short-term rentals within the district boundary to fund operations. "At the full 5%... we conservatively estimate that that would bring in about 1 and a half million dollars of revenue each year," DeFort said.

The presentation included a rendering produced by Epicos Land Planning and Architecture showing a large indoor turf field with an elevated walking track, seating and flexible partitions. DeFort said the facility would accommodate youth and adult sports, walking and community events such as trade shows, conferences and concerts. She described the field house as phase 1 of a longer-term idea that could later expand to a recreation center or concert venue if demand and funding allow.

DeFort said the project team has formed a nonprofit, drafted a ballot petition, and planned a public-private approach combining district tax revenue with grants, donations, land gifts and commercial revenue. She said the petition requires 700 signatures and the group aims to qualify for the November 2025 ballot; if successful, taxes could start about 90 days after election certification.

DeFort referenced Idaho Code Title 67, Chapter 49, as the enabling statute for an auditorium/community center district. She told commissioners the district boundary under consideration would exclude Cascade and would include Tamarack; she also said the district would initially focus on the northern part of the county and could expand later.

Commissioners and members of the public asked about siting, utilities and partnerships. DeFort said the group has discussed multiple potential parcels, including the 80-acre Lake Fork parcel owned by Valley County, land near the activity barn, a Brundage-offered parcel closer to McCall, and a still-confidential parcel inside McCall city limits. She acknowledged sewer and water infrastructure would be a major expense at some sites and said the group is looking into alternative technologies and partners to reduce those costs.

After discussion, a commissioner moved, and a second was recorded, a motion authorizing a letter of support for the Mountain Community Center District with one wording change: replace the phrase "establishing shared maintenance agreements" with "exploring shared maintenance agreements" so the county would be willing to engage in conversations but not bind future boards to maintenance obligations. The motion carried on a voice vote of "Aye" with no recorded opposition.

The project team and the Valley County Recreation Advisory Council told commissioners they have already gathered community interest and letters of support; DeFort said petition-gathering is underway and requested the county sign the revised letter on county letterhead.

What happens next: the Mountain Community Center District organizers must collect 700 signatures, get a district court review of the petition, and then appear on the ballot if the court allows it. If the ballot measure passes, district tax collection could begin roughly 90 days after election certification; major planning and site-specific engineering — including sewer, water and parking design — would follow.