County commissioners adopt resolution directing 35–40% water‑use cuts on county properties

The Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution directing county public‑works staff to implement water‑conservation measures for county‑owned properties, the commission said at its meeting. The plan aims for an overall 35–40% reduction in landscape watering on county properties; the equestrian arena area was set at a 33% reduction because of animal care needs.

Richard (Public Works) told commissioners the plan prioritizes long‑established trees and perennials while allowing turf to go dormant and converting underused turf into low‑water landscaping. He said reductions will vary by site depending on irrigation systems, water source (city supply vs. on‑site wells) and programmatic events that require temporary exceptions for heavy watering before and after major uses.

Commissioner comments focused on scale and coordination. Commissioner Gardner praised voluntary local action and noted some cities are already moving in similar directions; commissioners discussed whether to pursue interlocal cooperation with cities or to ask state legislators to consider changes to water‑share rules that now penalize landowners who do not use allocated shares.

The resolution applies only to county‑owned facilities and parks, staff said; it does not compel cities to adopt the same standards. Public‑works staff estimated weekly county irrigation usage in the hundreds of thousands of gallons and said the targeted reductions are significant but feasible, given changes such as converting turf and other longer‑term measures. The board approved the resolution by voice vote.