The Washington County Conservation Board is exploring a rate increase for Conservation Center rentals. WCC Director Zach Rozmus informed the board that on holidays where they rent out the Conservation Center they are losing “quite a bit of money.” Rozmus said the current rental fee is $175, which is about what it costs to staff the center for a typical day. Meanwhile during holidays, those same employees receive two and a half times their typical wage, which then shifts the costs to outweigh the revenue. Another point Rozmus presented is his desire to have his employees be able to spend certain holidays with their family.

Board President Craig Capps agreed, “In my opinion, the money is nothing, but the staff needs to be home with their family. We don’t need to be open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving.” The board agreed to close the center for rentals on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

Reservations already made will still be honored for the rates agreed upon. Rozmus says he’s currently working with Washington County Attorney John Gish to craft a resolution to update rental costs to line up with expenses.