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 the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to Marion County. Thompson described the property as a riverside recreation area along Highway 22 between Lyons and Mill City that includes a natural boat launch, hiking trails, a picnic shelter, flush restrooms and drinking water — amenities the county said are uncommon among its other parks. Thompson said Marion County and Oregon State Parks had operated the site under a two-year trial maintenance agreement beginning in 2021; after the trial the county and state proceeded toward a permanent transfer.

On health and human services matters, commissioners approved a $175,000 contract for services with Village REACH to facilitate a one-year strategic planning process for Marion County Health and Human Services (MCHHS) through Dec. 31, 2026. Joe James, strategic planning coordinator, said the plan will be a five-year roadmap aligning the department’s mission, values and goals with community health priorities.

The board authorized an incoming-funds contract with Santiam Memorial Hospital under which Marion County’s psychiatric crisis center will provide overnight mental health crisis assessments at the hospital. Debbie Wells, division director of behavioral health crisis services, said the contract (AG-6320-24) runs through Dec. 31, 2027 with an option to extend to Dec. 31, 2029, and has a maximum compensation not to exceed $120,000. Wells said county staff respond to hospital requests overnight to assess and provide crisis services; the county’s role is as a contractor providing assessments while the patient remains under hospital care.

Commissioners approved an incoming funds memorandum of understanding with PacificSource Community Solutions for $135,200 to support the “Supporting Health for All through Reinvestment” initiative. Christina Burchey, program manager for housing services, said the program will offer tenant-education classes, barrier-removal funds (up to $1,600 per eligible participant), background checks and short-term transportation support to help people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or substance-use disorders obtain housing. Burchey said the initiative is expected to serve approximately 60 individuals for barrier removal and a similar number for background checks over a two-year period and will allow the county to bill certain services once clients are housed. “We can actually provide housing navigation for up to 18 months,” Burchey said.

Finally, the board, sitting as the Contract Review Board, granted an exemption from Marion County public contracting rules to reinstate an expired contract with Pelton Project Inc. to continue home- and community-based habilitation services for eligible Medicaid recipients while the county issues a request for proposals for a longer-term contractor. Toby Giddings, contracts and procurement manager, explained the extension is intended to maintain continuity of care for adults with serious and persistent mental illness who receive in-home psychosocial and skills training services.

Votes at a glance: all items described above were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the Jan. 22 meeting. Specific motions and outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript are listed in the meeting record and the county’s official minutes.

The board then recessed as the Contract Review Board, reconvened as the Board of Commissioners and adjourned.