Board approves Fox River tubing, Petrifying Springs and Pringle Nature Center contracts; some supervisors call for clearer financial reporting

The Kenosha County Board approved three park and recreation contracts after a short floor debate. The board voted to approve a five‑year contract for a Float the Fox River tubing operator at Fox River Park (Resolution 30), then renewed the Petrifying Springs beer‑garden operation for 10 years (Resolution 31) and approved a 10‑year contract with the Pringle Nature Center (Resolution 32).

Supervisor Meadows described the Float the River item as a move from a temporary use permit toward a five‑year contract and said committee review had satisfied most questions about insurance and coverage. The Float the River contract passed 18–1.

Supervisor Belsky praised Director Moore for his work on recent RFPs but urged caution on long contract terms and asked for regular reporting. “I think $25,000 that we could bring in as revenue is overshadowed by potential liabilities if we don't get these contracts right,” Belsky said, noting he would support the Petrifying Springs renewal but preferred five‑year terms for future RFPs and annual line‑item reports on revenues and county investments.

Supporters of the Petrifying Springs contract pointed to longstanding partnership history and planned park improvements; opponents and some committee members asked for clearer documentation about how much county investment supported private operators and whether revenue shares were being tracked by line item.

The Pringle Nature Center renewal was described as a longstanding, largely non‑profit partnership and passed unanimously. Board members agreed to follow up with the budget office and Public Works on requests for clearer reporting where supervisors asked for it.

Next steps: administration will continue reporting to committee and the board as requested; supervisors asked for periodic reports on revenue sharing and how contract revenues are used for park improvements.