The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 2-1 to adopt a recreational master plan for Teton County Monday night. This master plan will help consolidate all recreational amenities under one umbrella while outlining goals for future recreational projects.

In the fall of 2013, a committee of various community members from across the cities and recreational associations was headed by Driggs Community Development Director Doug Self that surveyed over 400 people in the county to prioritize recreational “needs.”

The study found that improving the administration and coordination of existing programs was a top desire heard across the valley.

While the issue of funding for these projects was a point of contention for Commissioners Sid Kunz and Kelly Park, the adoption of the master plan does not tie the BOCC or the county taxpayers to anything specific, such as a taxing district as that can only be approved by a public vote.

However, Kunz remained fearful that its approval will lead to less fiscal control, specifically on his ability as county commissioner to allocate funds on a need by need basis to specific recreational activities. Commissioners Kathy Rinaldi and Park voted in favor.

This article appeared on the Teton Valley News website on June 9, 2012.