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Committee directs staff to pursue limited campground operations for 2026 and budget planning for 2027
Summary
After lengthy debate about wells, liability and management, the committee directed staff to allow camping under legal requirements for the remainder of 2026 and to prepare a 2027 budget and plan focusing initially on fairgrounds sites and online reservation tools.
Committee members spent a substantial portion of the meeting reviewing options for camping at county parks and the fairgrounds. Staff outlined site constraints (wells that must be tested, access and floodplain concerns) and enforcement overhead; the county’s parks technician has limited capacity for monitoring formal campsites.
The committee discussed tools used by neighboring jurisdictions, including RoverPass, and the need to address FEMA/flood-warning and water-testing compliance for sites in floodplains. One committee member argued that the fairgrounds are the simplest near-term option because existing wells and access make formal sites feasible.
Outcome: the committee directed staff to pursue allowing camping for the remainder of 2026 consistent with state law and to prepare a 2027 budget proposal that focuses initially on the fairgrounds and explores online reservation and payment systems. Staff will also continue testing problem wells (e.g., Viola) and consult with the county attorney on liability and enforcement options.
