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Fairgrounds and golf course budgets show higher utilities, supply costs; staff pursuing grants
Summary
Parks and fairgrounds staff told commissioners that golf-course electricity and supply costs rose sharply this year, driven by irrigation and maintenance; staff applied for several grants and discussed whether the golf board might take over operations to stabilize costs.
Parks and fairgrounds staff provided a detailed review of revenues and projected expenses for the fairgrounds, youth building and golf course. Staff said revenues from rentals and event bookings were up in some months, but utility and supply costs at the golf course had increased sharply—largely from electricity used for irrigation and additional maintenance supplies.
Staff noted several grant applications are pending (including irrigation/WSDA and a legacy grant) that would fund capital and maintenance work. The parks director said he applied for multiple grants (RCO, WSDA, Commerce climate planning) and that the county would not reinvest certain maturing bonds if funds would be better used for operations or interim capital needs.
Commissioners asked about the golf board’s interest in taking on operations; staff said some board members favored takeover and that a conversation about fee structures and potential transfers could be scheduled with the board. Commissioners requested clearer breakout of pass-through payments (for example, green fees and equipment rentals) and asked staff to reconcile journaled items that make expense lines look inconsistent across revenue and expense columns.
Staff will continue to track energy and supply costs, update the board after grant awards are confirmed and present a reconciled worksheet on golf-course pass-throughs and rental revenues.
