Parks and recreation reports rising tourism revenues, $95,000 matching grant, and a push to formalize shooting-range safety
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Summary
Tourism collections are close to 2024 levels, the county won a $95,000 matching marketing grant, and parks staff proposed training/volunteer range-safety officers and physical upgrades to the county shooting range as use increases.
Iron County parks and recreation and tourism staff told commissioners that tourism-related tax collections are roughly in line with 2024 year-to-date, restaurant tax is up nearly 11 percent over 2024, and the county received a $95,000 matching grant from the Utah Office of Tourism for marketing.
"Fall advertising is in full swing," the parks/tourism director said, describing digital and streaming advertising outside the county to attract visitors. The county is also participating in a Utah Office of Tourism pilot “destination development” program that pairs a destination expert with local businesses to create bookable experiences.
Parks and recreation also provided a detailed update on improvements and events at county sites. Highlights included completion of an OHV parking area at 3 Peaks, new pavilions and parking improvements at Wood Ranch and 5 Mile, invasive-species removal and future Forest Service work along Bowery Creek, and higher-than-expected park revenue year to date (about $11,000 to date vs. last year's total of roughly $12,000).
Shooting range safety and management was a major discussion. Staff described growing public use and concerns raised by neighbors and a citizen who urged the county to consider range supervision and safety officers. Park staff proposed exploring a volunteer range-safety-officer (RSO) program, training standards, a calendar to show when RSOs will be present, and continued berm and infrastructure improvements. The BLM has approved a south-boundary expansion and staff plan to split the group area into two rentable ranges with a gate to allow simultaneous groups. Staff said proposed fee adjustments to reflect the new split will be brought back to the commission.
Ending: Commissioners expressed support for exploring RSO options and for an exploratory site visit to a well-managed range in Washington County (Saint George/purgatory facility) to inform policy choices. Staff will return with cost estimates and a calendar/operations proposal if they recommend moving forward with a staffed or volunteer RSO program.