Linn County commissioners on Dec. 30 approved a pair of fee resolutions intended to bring the countys solid-waste and park rates closer to neighboring jurisdictions and to cover rising disposal and operational costs. The board adopted Resolution 2024-46 to update solid-waste transport and tire fees and separately approved a park and marina fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Public Works Administrator (unnamed) told commissioners the recommended solid-waste increases mirror nearby counties and are intended to fund long-term projects and closing costs. "The changes that I'm asking for ... will allow us to plan to move money for long term projects, closing cost, and improvements later on," the administrator said during the presentation.

On the park side, the administrator presented proposed increases for tent camping, cabin nightly rates, boat slips and campsite pricing; commissioners asked staff to print the finalized park fee resolution and moved it for adoption. The commission approved the park-and-marina fee schedule by voice vote.

The board also voted to hire Leanne Palumbo as Marina Clerk at $17.59 per hour (step 8B). Commissioners debated parity with road operator pay and the countys broader pay grid; one member said the clerk starting rate should stay as proposed and that pay adjustments for other hard-to-fill positions can be handled separately.

Commissioners discussed listing county cabins on Airbnb and installing smart locks to streamline guest check-in. After weighing laundry and cleaning logistics, staff workload and the cost-sharing of third-party platforms, the board agreed to install locks on all cabins and run a pilot by placing a limited set of cabins on Airbnb (three cabins initially) to evaluate revenue and operational impacts. "Airbnb is already set up," one commissioner said, arguing the county could expand listings without reducing local access. Staff was asked to return lock cost estimates and a parking-fee impact analysis.

The county clerk handled the resolutions and the hire paperwork; commissioners said they expect to review operational results from the Airbnb pilot and reassess if additional staff or pay adjustments are needed.

Next steps: the clerk will record the adopted fee resolutions in the minutes, staff will return a cost estimate for smart locks and a short-term Airbnb pilot report, and the marina clerk hire will proceed as authorized.