Marion County approves park fee changes, accepts North Santiam park deed and OKs several health, housing and contracting items

Marion County commissioners on Jan. 22 approved a set of actions that update park fees, bring the North Santiam Park and Campground under county ownership, and authorize contracts and grants supporting public health, behavioral health crisis response and housing navigation.

Kevin Thompson, Public Works parks program supervisor, told the board the county has updated its park fee schedule to reflect expanded services and new reservation technology. “We now offer online reservation capabilities. This week we launched [an] online campground reservation system,” Thompson said, adding that picnic-shelter reservation capability will be introduced soon. He said tent-camping fees will increase from $20 to $25 per night while day-use parking fees of $5 and an annual pass of $30 will remain unchanged.

The changes, Thompson said, aim to align fee revenue with rising operations and maintenance costs and with new online reservation tools that reduce on-site cash handling.

The board voted to amend the parks fee schedule as referenced in Exhibit A.

The board also approved a deed conveying the North Santiam Park and Campground from…