Skagit County holds public hearing on proposed campground fee increases, reservation system rollout

Skagit County Parks officials on June 23 presented proposed increases to campground and shelter fees and described an upcoming online reservation system as the county opened a public hearing on the changes.

Joseph Shea, Parks staff, told the Board of County Commissioners the fee adjustments ‘‘were to accommodate our new, campground reservation system’’ and to cover ‘‘additional services that will be needed to administer that.’’ He listed specific increases including a $5 rise for RV power-and-water sites, a $6 increase for tent sites, $5 increases for cabins and some ADA sites, $10 for some commercial uses and a $100 charge for group circles. Shea said winter rates at Grandy Lake and cabins at Howard Miller would also rise by $5.

The county plans to implement a Kaizen campground reservation system ‘‘over the next couple months,’’ Shea said, adding it will allow online reservations and on-site payment processing and should reduce staff time spent handling hundreds of reservation calls each year.

Why it matters: Parks staff said the rate changes are intended to cover the administrative costs of the reservation system and to reflect usage patterns at remote sites. Commissioners emphasized public notice and access to the proposed schedule while keeping the record open to additional comment.

During the hearing, Commissioner Wiesen asked how the proposals were publicized. Shea said the rates were published in the newspaper on June 5 and June 12 and can be requested from the Parks office or posted on the Parks web pages. Wiesen also asked whether the county compared local rates to Washington State Parks; Shea said Howard Miller remains a relatively low-cost but high-value experience and that other facilities’ rates were generally comparable.

Procedure and next steps: Commissioners did not adopt fee changes at the hearing. They voted to keep the public comment period open until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 to allow further input and to permit staff time to respond if needed. The motion to leave comment open was moved and seconded and carried 2–0. Staff said formal action on the proposed fee schedule is scheduled for late June (effective July 1 if approved).

Public access and contact: Shea provided the Parks front office number and email for written comments and said staff can distribute the printed fee schedule. He also asked that the county place the proposed schedule prominently on the Parks web pages so it is easier for the public to find.

Ending: With public comment remaining open, the county will return with the fee schedule for a decision on the consent calendar; anyone with reservations paid before an effective date would remain at previously paid rates, staff said.