Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON-Charles Eaton, Director of Public Works presented a review of the preliminary 2022 budget to the Board of County Commissioners in two sessions covering the budgets for the various funds on November 9 and 15. On November 9, he began with the capital improvement fund which he said is primarily for facilities as listed on the comprehensive plan or the capital projects list. The HVAC project, the pavilion restrooms and the golf course irrigation project are carrying over from 2021. The $500,000 HVAC budget item is reduced to be listed as funded by the Architectural Historic Preservation Grant of $126,200. The rest of the funds would come from either the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds or have to be come from another source. The Friends of the Fairgrounds are contributing $10,000 towards the $100,000 pavilion restroom project. The golf course irrigation project is budgeted for $75,000. The estimated revenue for the 2022 capital improvement fund is $223,200 and a beginning cash balance of $365,888 and an ending fund balance of $64,688.

Eaton then went through the rural excise tax fund for which the expenses are limited to projects specific to economic development. He said, "Currently we are not forecasting any money out of this fund–we are just leaving it there...There will be, according the estimates from Carla [Rowe, Treasurer], about $85,471 available that could be allocated into projects. Projects that we currently have on the capital improvement list that are eligible for this fund would be the east grandstands, the HVAC, the pavilion, the irrigation system." Sean Thurston from Friends of the Golf Course was present and requested the use of $25,000 of the funds to contribute to the irrigation project - $10,000 for replacing existing pumps and $15,000 for reconstruction of fairway two following the irrigation project. Commissioner Marty Hall pointed out that the County already invests in maintenance, though he is not opposed to investing in the capital project. Commissioners Ryan Rundell and Charles Amerein were also not opposed but thought that the HVAC project needs to remain the top priority and once they know how it will be funded, they would have the option of moving the money around.

The budget talk for paths and trails centered on vegetation management particularly around the golf course and levee paths. Historically, goats were used but the cost had increased and so chemicals were used last year but not consistently enough to be effective. The commissioners discussed looking into using goats in the spring after a fall chemical application. Besides being kinder to the environment, goats leave less debris and require less involvement from the County.

The parks and recreation budget was presented. Eaton said, "Golf revenues would cover 74% of golf expenses. Fairground's revenues are only covering 54% of fairgrounds expenses–that's our big problem in parks and rec we continue to have. This budget does reinstate the fairgrounds permanent position–maintenance technician position. It still has the two temporary positions in it for mowing purposes. It does recognize the new fee structure that you'll be seeing from me which is actually proposing some reductions in fees specifically in the youth building. And proposes a policy for standardizing fee waivers and fee reductions based upon of type of use. It does assume there's going to be a public works diversion as in the years past and a capital expense transfer into this fund of $130,000. With that, it does return everything in the parks and rec department into a pre-disaster event status, so if you look at it, it's basically in line with the 2019 budget."

The budget also includes a $8500 donation from the Golf Board for chemicals and supplies. The 2021 Columbia County Fair was billed as an event fee of $4075 as per their agreement for use that the Fair Board signed. Commissioner Amerein said, "I think we agreed the Commissioners would reimburse the Fair Board–it was supposed to come out of our budget to make them whole."

Auditor Anne Higgins suggested the Commissioners be billed for the amount, but in the future budget for the expense. Once payment for facilities use for the Columbia County Fair of $4075 is received, the total year to date fees received will be $13,151. The proposed budget revenues from fees for 2022 is being budgeted at $15,000. Eaton added, "The golf fee structure worked really well. It covered about 80%. It actually covered very well. So, we aren't proposing any changes really to the golf fee structure next year at all. The fair fee structure, we had issues with primarily because we saw a decrease in bookings because the prices were too high. So, that's why we're making some adjustments for some of those more private [events]... to try to bring those prices back down so our facility becomes attractive to them...especially in the youth building."

A public hearing was held on November 15, for the parks and recreation fee schedule. Eaton told the Commissioners and those present, "The Country Club has asked for a winter hours rate which most of the clubs do have which would be November through February. So, they've asked for that rate to be developed. We had a couple areas that were not covered that we found in this year's fee schedule within the fairgrounds facilities fees and that's use of all power on the infield and then horse barn stall rate for large events. We decreased the rates for the youth building and the kitchen..by a third." Eaton drafted a new policy for fee reductions and waivers. "We're recommending family annual greens fees for 10% reduction for three or more people. A course hole closure rate is being requested by the Touchet Valley Country Club which is $5 a hole with no make-up holes. So that would be when we close infield, for example.

Youth event rates would be a 30% reduction on facilities that aren't free like the youth building...Facility rentals we're proposing to basically not allow fee reductions for ticketed events." He went on to say that government and community meetings and non-profit groups will be given a 10% reduction. Private events such as funerals, weddings and family reunions will be given a 20% reduction. Youth events would be a 50% reduction for facility use.

A few public comments were heard. Kim Lyonnais of the Golf Board requested regular meetings with the County to set goals and to work towards increasing membership in the Golf Club. He wasn't in favor of charging $30 a day and suggested a traditional golf course fee schedule. Another commenter, Bill Ayotte, the previous concessionaire that owned Chicken Bill's Cafe agreed the rates are too high compared to similar courses particularly for seniors and proposed reducing the senior age for fees. He also suggested increasing tournament events and marketing including improving the website. Clint Attebury, President of the Golf Board suggested promoting youth golfers.

Eaton noted the comments and after discussion it was agreed that there would be a 20% reduction for senior citizens with a possible change to the age criteria. Also, for juniors, they agreed on a fee of $7.50 for kids in grade K-8 and $15 for kids in grades 9-12. In addition, separate weekday and weekend rates are being considered.

Approval for the new fee schedule was postponed to review and make changes.