Durango High School students who park in the neighboring lot at the La Plata County Fairgrounds should prepare to pay a nominal fee of $50 per school year.
The Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday amending the fairgrounds schedule of fees to include a parking permit for DHS students who use the county lots.
“I think it's a great option to give students additional parking sources,” Commissioner Matt Salka said before the unanimous vote.
Fee revenue, which is $10 more than the annual permit required for students to park on DHS property, will cover what fairgrounds General Manager Emily Spencer calls a “substantial” impact of student-generated trash.
“The proposed fee of $50 will let us cover the increased litter pickup (and) trash disposal for both staff time and resources needed for all of that, because it is substantial,” she said Monday. “We definitely notice trash from the high school.”
In a written statement, DHS Principle Jon Hoerl said the county is doing the school a favor by allowing students to park on the fairgrounds property, and said the school’s leadership would help communicate the message to students.
"We only have so many parking spaces, and when those sell out the Fairgrounds staff have been nice enough to offer another parking option for our students – under their management, not ours,“ Hoerl said.
The county plans to initially cap the number of parking passes for DHS students at 50, although another 25 could be available if needed. Students will be asked to park in the “flea market lot” sandwiched between Main Avenue and the southern ball field.
Students will also be asked to complete a contact form so that blackout dates and other information can be communicated to them.
The item was noticed on the consent agenda but moved to the decision agenda to allow for discussion and public comment specifically on the matter. No members of the public spoke on the item.
The resolution goes into effect upon approval.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
This story has been updated to reflect that Miller Middle School staff are not parking on the Durango High School campus as previously reported. Incorrect information was given to the Herald.
