Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medical examiner's report on Todd Ragsdale expected Monday ... Southern Oregon runners mourn the loss of their quirky, talented friend ... Since You Asked: Phoenix rose from the ashes of Gasburg name ... Medical examiner's report on Todd Ragsdale expected Monday ... Southern Oregon runners mourn the loss of their quirky, talented friend ... Since You Asked: Phoenix rose from the ashes of Gasburg name ... OUR VIEW Our View: County park system is worth some investment Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News At first glance, it might seem that a Jackson County-operated RV park at the Expo is an example of government inappropriately competing with private enterprise. It is competition, and that's unfortunate, but it may also mean the survival of popular county parks that can't support themselves and would otherwise be shut down. Jackson County has struggled to maintain public services as federal timber payments dwindled. One way to do that was to slash budgets, reduce staff and put the savings into reserves, which the county did, unlike some of its timber-dependent neighbors. Another way was to require county operations previously supported by the general fund to become self-sufficient by charging user fees to pay for operating costs. The county parks system was given that ultimatum in 2009 and removed from the general fund. Since then, three county parks — Emigrant, Willow and Howard Prairie lakes — have supported the rest of the system which includes popular but less profitable parks such as Cantrall Buckley, Dodge Bridge, Rogue Elk and Upper Rogue Regional. To keep that system going requires more than the big three parks bring in, so the county is investing $2 million to develop a 97-space RV park at the Expo Ponds north of the fairgrounds. A $3 million loan will be paid back over 12 years. The goal is to be in the black in five years or less. The private RV park industry is not happy with the competition, and it's hard to blame them. But the alternative is a county park system with aging infrastructure that will continue to deteriorate and parks that eventually will shut down. There is another option, of course: Jackson County residents could pay higher taxes to support services such as parks without expecting them to turn a profit. That's not likely to be proposed anytime soon, and private industry would be unlikely to support it if it was. County officials are getting the best bang they can for the bucks they have. Turning a profit in one location to shore up a parks system that serves the whole county is a reasonable arrangement. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501