County approves nonprofit reservation and vendor selection policies for recreation and parks

The Worcester County Commissioners unanimously approved two Recreation & Parks policies Feb. 18: a draft nonprofit reservation policy that lets the department waive or reduce rental fees for nonprofit civic organizations, and a vendor and exhibitor selection policy that establishes a selection rubric and committee for special events.

Kelly Raydos, director of Recreation & Parks, told the board the reservation policy would allow staff to waive fees for outdoor events and reduce indoor rental fees up to 50 percent; additional pass‑through costs for field lining or lighting would still apply. The commissioners amended the draft to waive the rental fee one time for first‑time nonprofit users as seed money to encourage usage.

Raydos said all outside groups, whether paying or not, must complete the department's user agreement, which sets liability and insurance requirements; commissioners confirmed that larger events will be required to show insurance and name the county as secondary insured per the user agreement.

On vendor selection, Raydos said a selection committee and rubric will be used for events such as Harbor Day and the Worcester County Fair to ensure vendor missions align with events. Commissioners praised staff for expanding popular county events and approved both policies unanimously.

Commissioners directed staff to implement the policies and incorporate the seed‑money waiver and standard user agreement procedures. Specific fee schedules, insurance thresholds and any equipment pass‑through costs will remain part of departmental administrative procedures.