Laserfiche WebLink
Nov 19, 2024 Commissioners Regular Meeting <br /> Thank you Mr Chairman <br /> am here to advocate for public recreation on Kittitas County <br /> owned land <br /> am advocating that Kittitas County include $100,000 for capital <br /> recreation improvements in the 2025 budget to support the BLM <br /> in the Yakima River Canyon. BLM has done an outstanding job <br /> developing the Yakima River Canyon for over 550,000 recreational <br /> visitors. <br /> The $100,000 for capital improvements. would be funded by <br /> budgeted Reet2 dollars in the 2025 Park and recreation/tourism <br /> budget fund 113. <br /> BLM and Kittitas County are existing neighbors on Ringer Loop , <br /> at the mouth of the Yakima River Canyon. BLM has an existing <br /> public access trail running through the Kittitas county retired ry <br /> park .. BLM has an ongoing contract with Kittitas county Sheriff <br /> dept to provide additional security in the Yakima River Canyon.. <br /> If recreation is not your business it is very easy for a recreational <br /> site to become a money pit . Last year Grant Pud lost $350,000 on <br /> operational and maintenance of a golf course at Crescent Bar. <br /> Kittitas County is not in the business of operation and <br /> maintenance of recreational sites. <br /> Kittitas County does have a role in providing public recreational <br /> access to County lands and capital support to qualified <br /> recreational providers. The best public access recreational <br /> provider in Kittitas County is a Kittitas County road. <br /> Kittitas County does have a role in funding capital improvements <br /> for public recreation. When the new Reet 2 tax was approved in <br /> 2022 by this Commission it was to provide a funding source for <br /> capital improvements to public recreation. I am asking that the <br /> BOCC keep their promise to the taxpayer for the use of Reet 2 <br /> funds and properly fund capital recreational improvements. <br /> Thank you. <br />