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County adopts $100 daily rental fee, $30 deposit for new Bend In The River Park shelter
Summary
The Benton County Board approved a revised fee schedule adding a $100-per-day rental rate (reduced to $75 for nonprofits) and a $30 security deposit for the new shelter at Bend In The River Park; staff will use an online reservation system and post daily reservation status at the shelter.
Benton County commissioners voted to adopt a revised county fee schedule that adds a daily reservation fee for the new shelter at Bend In The River Park.
The board approved a $100 daily rental rate for the new shelter, a reduced nonprofit rate of $75 per day and a $30 security deposit to cover damage or excessive cleanup, county parks staff said. The shelter will remain available on a first-come, first-served basis unless rented for a specific day via the county’s online reservation system.
County parks staff told commissioners the park commission compared fees charged by neighboring counties and considered rates the county already charges for other shelters. “Ultimately the park commission settled on a hundred dollars per day as the rental rate for the new shelter at Bend In The River,” a parks staff member said during the hearing. The staff member added that nonprofits would receive a $25 discount and that the $30 deposit would be refunded if the shelter was left in acceptable condition.
Commissioners and staff also discussed how the county will notify visitors when a shelter is reserved. Parks staff said a kiosk will be placed near the shelter and staffed summer employees will update signage as reservations occur; staff will also explore electronic options such as cellular-linked displays and cameras but noted cost and vandalism concerns.
The park commission will offer the new shelter for reservation through the county’s online portal. Staff said attendants who maintain the park restrooms will also check the kiosk and post reservation notices daily when reservations exist.
The motion to adopt the revised fee schedule — described during the county’s public hearing on the fee schedule — passed with the board’s unanimous voice vote. The board chair called for the question after discussion and the motion carried.
County staff noted the broader Bend In The River Park project cost more than $1 million and has drawn grant funding and local donations; the parks commission said it plans a spring open-house and ribbon-cutting to begin reservations for the shelter.
Supporters said the new reservation option balances public access with predictable revenue for maintenance; commissioners asked staff to return with any preferred technology options for displaying reservation status and with details if the county pursues cellular or Wi‑Fi service at the shelter.
