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DAYTON– The Columbia County Parks and Recreation District Commissioners (P&R) discussed the upcoming levy proposal at the recent board meeting. P&R are working toward a levy budget plan to set before the voters in November. Currently the district is operating in a deficit, as well as a feasibility study, until a levy is passed by the voters. In addition, the board passed resolution 2024-02 and 2024-03.
Commissioners Katie Leid and Terri Hessler will work together to create a budget to determine the dollar amount needed for the levy. Presently, the maximum the commissioners can ask of the voters is $0.20/$1000 of assessed property value. The levy is a yearly levy that the district will have to request.
If the levy is successful, the funds will go towards office supplies, housekeeping items such as post office and legal fees, county bills, insurance, and grant match requirements. The ballot title and resolution deadline is August 6.
When a levy is acquired, a feasibility study can be made to determine if the site of the existing pool can be used to build the new pool complex of if a new site is needed. The location and construction cost will be the main driver of what is included in the new community pool. Meanwhile, the board will compare information gathered at the April 18 meeting to the data collected in 2022 and take the most requested items to an architect.
Presently, the P&R face the challenge of acquiring funding to hire a contractor and an architect to be able to create a plan that is needed to apply for different grants before building can take place. “We need to try to partner with the city, county, and the port because we are going to need some money commitment from them to get us to our next step which is to send out a request for qualifications and then send out a request for applications [for a contractor and architect],” said board chairperson Dianne McKinley. They recently got this advice from a consultant who suggested the bare minimum needed for this step would be $20,000 to $40,000. McKinley and Hessler will work on a presentation to present to other agencies in hopes of procuring financial support. McKinley will also be meeting with Partners for Rural Washington next week to discuss funding opportunities.
The P&R board adopted resolution 2024-02 which is to adopt the board policies and procedures, and passed resolution 2024-03 to approve the Columbia County Park Master Plan statement. The commissioners reviewed at a quote for board insurance. No decision was made. Next meeting, the board will consider a contract to represent the board, with attorney Kim Boggs.
The board held an executive meeting at the end of the board meeting in regards to RCW 42.20.030 Intrusion into and Refusal to surrender Public Office. No action was taken.
The Friends of the Pool meeting is May 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Chiefs Springs Brew Pub. They hope to be able to recruit new members and cover two board openings.
Funding opportunity was discussed during public comment. The board was advised to be considered for funding at the state level, they must apply in December to be considered part of state’s capital budget.