Linn County weighs park fee increases and Airbnb listing for cabins
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Summary
Park manager proposed modest rate increases and recommended trying Airbnb for cabin rentals; commissioners asked for cost and staffing analyses and asked the manager to return with detailed revenue and expense comparisons.
Park manager Sherry Loveland presented proposed fee increases and a plan to expand bookings, including testing Airbnb for cabin rentals.
What staff proposed: Loveland asked to raise tent camping daily rates by $1 (from $12 to $13) and secondary-tent fees by $1; cabin rental base rates would increase by $5 in both standard and peak seasons; boat slip and campsite rates were also adjusted upward in the packet provided. Loveland said adding Wi-Fi and TVs to cabins raised costs roughly $3,600 annually and proposed spreading related costs across nightly rates.
Airbnb and software: The manager recommended listing cabins on Airbnb to increase occupancy and revenue. Commissioners and staff discussed potential fees (Airbnb takes about 14%), additional cleaning and staffing needs (cleaning time estimated at 45–60 minutes per cabin), and software platforms including CivicPlus and FireFly. Staff estimated CivicPlus implementation at about $8,000 the first year with annual costs thereafter; FireFly and other vendors offer alternatives with different capabilities for parking, slips and cabin handling.
Board direction: Commissioners asked for a written breakdown of historic camping and cabin revenue, a cost model showing required staffing and equipment (washers/dryers), and projected net revenue under an Airbnb trial. The manager agreed to return with the requested spreadsheets and staffing estimates.
Next steps: Commissioners will review the detailed cost/benefit analysis in a future meeting before approving any widespread changes or software contracts.