County to try running Kalama-area gun range after single RFP response, board asks for financial updates

Public Works and sheriff's office staff briefed the commissioners on options for the county's shooting range after an RFP produced one response. Mike Moss, public services director, said the county is considering a joint operation between the parks division and the sheriff's office to maintain public service while county staff learn the facility operations and evaluate how to improve revenues.

The presentation outlined operational requirements and projected costs: minimal initial hours, required RCO grant open-hours compliance, potential use of certified range officers (estimated labor cost roughly $60,000 per year for a full schedule), and a draft schedule that would expand if demand increased. Moss cautioned that the immediate effect would be reduced public hours and increased general-fund expense compared with the current volunteer-run, vendor-operated model. "Going from a volunteer-based group to a county-ran facility, that is a true statement," Moss said, noting the increased cost but also the potential to grow revenue through expanded programming and contracts with law-enforcement agencies.

Board consideration and votes: commissioners directed staff to try the county-run model as an interim approach rather than immediately reissuing an RFP. Commissioners asked staff to keep the initial lease short, return with updated revenue and expense reports, and explore volunteer and contract options to reduce operating costs. Staff warned that if the county later chooses to close the range and repay RCO grant funds, repayment could be substantial; staff cited an earlier figure near $750,000 that staff said they were verifying.

What happens next: staff will implement a transition plan, provide regular financial updates to the board, and evaluate a renewed RFP or other alternatives if county operation does not become financially sustainable.