Director Justin Huss stated there was a decrease in tax income and an increase in revenue stating that everything was well in line.
Steven Foster asked how Parks was doing with the Reserve America, an online campsite reservation site. Huss gave it a six out of ten, stating that they wished it was more user friendly.
Commissioner Draxie Rogers moved to approve the quarterly report as presented with Foster seconding. Discussion followed with Huss explaining how the report was broken down. Foster asked for headings in the future for greater visual clarity and Huss stated they will continue to tweak it. The motion carried 4-0.
On to older business
Huss gave a report on the downhill shuttle purchase stating that he was having trouble finding a shuttle with a wheelchair lift and was not comfortable to bring options to the table yet. Foster questioned why they were shopping for a shuttle with handicapped capability, referencing that the Shuttlebug is not. Huss clarified that because Parks is looking for the shuttle to be multiuse they were looking for ADA compliance.
Chris Fischer gave an update on the Mitigation Project saying that because of extra money in the budget, the Walton Family had extended the time of the project from April. He gave Parks a few options he had come up with to utilize that budget.
- Upgrade markers and kiosks in the Miner’s Rock area
- Create a program for citizen scientists to help identify plants
- Create an enclosure around a spring found near a sinkhole and utilize the water.
- Schedule of events to make more walk and talks.
Fischer expressed his want to use the money to schedule more specialized walks and talks. Foster expressed that the idea was excellent and asked if Fischer could use those programs to help propagate Dirca decipiens, Ozark Leatherwood. Fischer said it was out of his league but that they could find out how to do it through a citizen scientist effort.