County
There’s GOLD In The Boise River
August 30, 2013 
There’s gold in the Boise River! Well, maybe not gold, but plenty of cash. Folks paid about $450,000 dollars to float in a raft or inner tube from Barber Park To Julia Davis this summer–not bad for about 90 days. The season ends at the end of the Labor Day Weekend.
The river float gets more popular each year. Ada County last operated the raft and tube rental at Barber Park in the summer of 2007. The county generated just under $300K in raft and tube rentals, and shuttle fees for the Barber to Ann Morrison Park circuit that year. In 2013 the numbers are expected to be about $450,000 with Ada County earning approximately 28% (about $125K) for the county coffers.
The county contract with Epley’s calls for a concession payment to the county of $75,000 and 20% of everything over $200,000. Epley’s took over the contract from the county in 2008 and currently holds rights to the float concession through 2015.
The arrangement appears to be one of those proverbial “win-win” partnerships since the county doesn’t have to invest in equipment or personnel to run the operation. Here is how Ada County explained the contract to the GUARDIAN:
“Terms included Epley’s agreeing to become fully responsible for maintaining the equipment (rafts and tubes) and buses, and replacement of the equipment when worn, damaged or unsafe for use. This was a significant investment by Epley’s, resulting in their owning much of the equipment inventory. In fairness, they were granted an extension of the agreement to allow for amortizing their capital investment over a couple of additional seasons.”
UPDATE 9/5/13
Ada County Commissioner’s Chief of Staff Larry Maneely has added what we hope is a final footnote:
“In an effort to be as open and transparent as possible, I have had conversations with our interim Parks Director, and she has shared some preliminary numbers (end of season inventory scheduled this week) on the Barber Park raft and tube rental business Ada County contracts with Epley’s. I apologize for, and take ownership of, one erroneous phrase that may have furthered confusion.
I referenced Epley’s becoming “fully” responsible….whereas it should have read “shared responsibility” for repair of equipment and buses….
“They have apparently bought a bus, we still own a couple, each does their own maintenance on those, and on the equipment among the raft and tube inventory (also including paddles and tube covers). They have bought some of all of that, so they can expand the business and grow their profits. The county continues to own most of it, but Epley’s repairs or replaces when it is damaged or becomes unsafe through the season. It’s my understanding from our interim Parks Director that Epley’s has invested $150K+ in buses, trailers, rafts, kayaks, paddles and tube covers (hence the extended commitment from the county).
“Bottom line, the county nets about what was earned when this was solely county run…but now with shared maintenance obligation, and without the personnel issues that come with going 12 hours daily for the summer months. The public seems pleased, Epley’s has a successful enterprise, and the commissioners are delighted to be able to continue to offer this iconic experience to area residents (who, I should add, can still raft free of all charges with their own equipment, and use our FREE 10 air pump stations on a daily basis). River rafting has been, and remains free to all, and is one of the great joys of living in Ada County.”
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Aug 30, 2013, 12:57 pm
The Forest Service pretty much does the same with most of their campgrounds. I think concessions are a great way to provide recreation opportunities to the masses.
Aug 30, 2013, 4:42 pm
Does anyone know if that house-like shack near the footbridge across from Ann Morrison Park gets used at all anymore? It used to be a concession area, and I recall using it at the end of floats. Just wondering. I’ve ridden by it on my bike, but I have not seen anyone staffing it in quite awhile.
Aug 31, 2013, 10:07 am
Floating the Boise River is a great Community activity. I don’t live in Boise but my children do and they float the river on a regular basis during the season.
Boise is a great place for active people to live with the greenbelt, parks along the river and greenbelt, Bogus Basin, BSU and all the downtown restaurants and nightlife.
Aug 31, 2013, 3:18 pm
As a former Ada County employee who worked at the County prior to Epley’s coming into the picture and for a few years after, it is my distinct recollection that Epley’s does NOT pay for maintenance of the equipment and never has. I would hazard a guess thousands of dollars have been spent by Ada County, constituting taxpayer money, to repair rafts and other equipment. Have you asked for that figure? I am also not at all sure who pays for those shuttle buses nor who repairs them when they break. If Epley’s is truly paying for all these costs, when did that get implemented? Your post says the County is contends Epley’s has paid its own way since 2008. I do not believe that is really true. What a contract says and what actually occurs can be two very different things. I would like to know exactly how much Ada has paid in equipment repairs and for shuttle buses and related items since 2008.
Also, I do not believe Epley’s owns “much of the equipment inventory” unless they recently purchased it. They certainly did not when they started. Did you ask when Epley’s bought the equipment and how much they paid to the County? As of today, what percentage of the inventory is owned by Epley’s and what percentage by Ada County?
I know many people tout “private-public partnership.” It was frequently offered by the prior Board as a reason for the Dynamis contract. But what such arrangements do is allow private business to be subsidized by taxpayer money. Epley’s is paying 28% to Ada County, meaning it is receiving 72% of $450,000 gross for 3 months of operations. With that type of gross revenue, why is it appropriate for taxpayers to offer subsidies of any sort? Once Epley’s deducts their operating expenses, I have no doubt they are still profiting tidily.
Government should either operate business on its own or farm it out lock, stock and barrel. It is this in-between type of arrangement that seems to give a completely unfair advantage to those the County has handpicked to do business with. I would think fiscal conservatives who squeal like stuck pigs about people receiving entitlement subsidies would also challenge these public-private arrangements, as they are nothing less than corporate subsidies.
One company tries to make a living in the outside world, paying for buildings, utilities, property taxes, equipment, maintenance etc., while another gets a free (well, subsidized) ride on the backs of County taxpayers. This is what concerns me. If the County were operating this business, I would understand it; they’d make a bunch of money and thus need less taxpayer money. Instead, in the name of it being a benefit to the community to offer rafting, they subsidize a private business that is walking away with a big profit. If they want to farm the operations out, then farm it out 100% and do not offer assistance, subsidies, personnel, equipment, etc. Even the parking operations at Barber Park are run at the County’s expense, though most people parking are going rafting. Why doesn’t Epley’s share that burden like any private business would in any comparative leasing situation?
Finally, there is no way Epley’s signed a 7-year contract in 2008, as the County cannot sign 7-year contracts. They had to have renewed it at some point without the County putting the business back out to bid if what you say is true; namely that the contract now goes out to 2015.
Aug 31, 2013, 9:09 pm
I see it as double or triple taxing. Tube rental fees are appropriate, but charging just to float our river or to camp in our forest is wrong.
Sep 1, 2013, 11:54 am
My Two.. I have always wondered if the fair and fairgrounds really make money….all things taken into account.
Sep 1, 2013, 1:36 pm
I would like to know the answer as well if Ada County has paid money out to maintain the equipment. Also, if Epley’s has paid for the equipment. I would have concerns over that.
If what you say is true. That Epley’s made $450,000 and they pay Ada County $125,000 that leaves them $325,000, I’m sure there expenses were not even half of that. Sign me up too!! Not bad for 3 months worth of work.
Your comment:
“Proverbial “win-win” partnerships since the county doesn’t have to invest in equipment or personnel to run the operation.” I think we need the answer first that Ada County has not paid any money out for maintenance or personnel.
I too wonder about the “private-public partnership.” I don’t know if there should be such arrangements when tax payers are subsidizing it.
It would be great if you could find out what the contract really says and if it is being followed to the “T”. If what Two Cents say is correct “There is no way Epley’s signed a 7-year contract in 2008, as the County cannot sign 7-year contracts. They had to have renewed it at some point without the County putting the business back out to bid if what you say is true; namely that the contract now goes out to 2015.” I would like to know if it was just renewed?
I think we need some answers before we call this a “win-win partnership.”
EDITOR NOTE–Here is how the county explained the agreement to the GUARDIAN:
“The contract was first let in December 2007, for one year, with 4 additional renewals, running through September 30, 2012. Prior to that, in March 2011, a new contract was signed, allowing for one year of operation by Epley’s, with 4 annual renewals, extending the partnership through the 2015 season. Terms included Epley’s agreeing to become fully responsible for maintaining the equipment (rafts and tubes) and buses, and replacement of the equipment when worn, damaged or unsafe for use. This was a significant investment by Epley’s, resulting in their owning much of the equipment inventory. In fairness, they were granted an extension of the agreement to allow for amortizing their capital investment over a couple of additional seasons.”
We don’t really see any “smoking gun,” but welcome comments from one and all. Also the “win-tin” comment was partly in jest as all politicos use that term for all agreements.
Sep 1, 2013, 5:39 pm
The fact that “a new contract … included Epley’s agreeing to become fully responsible …” begs the question whether Epley’s ACTUALLY became fully responsible. It also seems to confirm that the County is conceding that it was, indeed, paying for everything from 2008 up to March 2011. How much has the County shelled out to support Epley’s personal for-profit enterprise since 2008? How much since 3/11 if supposedly something changed at that point? Who owns the equipment? How much did Epley’s pay the County to buy it back from them? Who pays for those shuttle buses? Who pays if they break down? Does Epley’s pay for a percentage of the costs of operating the parking for their business? I agree there is no smoking gun regarding the contract per se. The other questions, however, remain and should be answered. As to the other question raised, I believe Expo Idaho/Western Idaho Fair makes good money for the County and is also self-supporting. I do not believe the County has to fund it. I do not believe that holds true for Parks & Waterways, despite the rafting business and despite the renting out of the Education and Event Center that was built under the auspices of the Peavey-Derr, Yzaguirre and Tilman regime. If one reviews the budget, money is infused into Parks because it is not self-supporting. The currently posted budget shows $158,205 of taxpayer money went to keep that department going, whereas Expo’s taxpayer money is a big fat zero. Here’s the link to the budget:
http://www.adaweb.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=PlAkCLlfmvs%3d&tabid=1309
Sep 1, 2013, 7:12 pm
What I am understanding is that Epley’s had the contract from 2007-2012 the original contract but it was extended in March 2011 through the 2015 season allowing the extra time on the contract because “Terms included Epley’s agreeing to become fully responsible for maintaining the equipment (rafts and tubes) and buses, and replacement of the equipment when worn, damaged or unsafe for use. This was a significant investment by Epley’s, resulting in their owning much of the equipment inventory. In fairness, they were granted an extension of the agreement to allow for amortizing their capital investment over a couple of additional seasons.”
What seems contradictory is that in the quote “Epley’s agreeing to become fully responsible” when did they start bearing all maintenance costs 2007 or 2011? If they were not bearing all costs in 2007 why was their contract extended why didn’t it go back out for bid with this written into the new contract or was it in the original contract from 2007 and were not held to that portion of the contract. In either case I would like to see if any Ada County financial records show if/or any payments for repairs have been made. Also, it would be good to see both of the original contracts to see if they were responsible from the beginning and just not held to it, before I would say there is no “smoking gun”
Again, what equipment do they own Ada County’s or Epley’s because I see both on the river. Some tagged Ada County and some tagged Epley’s. My summation to that is that they have bought their own and those do not belong to Ada County. If they own much of the inventory then did they buy it from the Ada County or is it the equipment tagged Epley’s? This would make a difference in what they are saying.
Sep 2, 2013, 8:59 am
I guess maybe we should just allow any organization to offer tubes to float the river without any sort of discretion and/or oversight. That way Ann Morrison can be packed with all sorts of shuttles, there will be no accountability for faulty equipment, and instead of a very cheap bus ride we will be left to haggle with whomever has their jalopy in the park. If you don’t want to pay to use the equipment, YOU DON”T HAVE TOO!
If the county subsidizes the company a little and still collects all that cash for doing nothing, that sounds like a good deal to me.
I guess another solution would be to remove a Boise icon and hurt our economy even more. Face it, Boise is growing and is going to continue to grow. Some people just need to learn to accept that.
Sep 2, 2013, 12:33 pm
Clem: If Epleys were a nonprofit, your argument would be one I might agree with. But using taxpayer dollars to subsidize a private enterprise so people who own it can get rich is simply not what I consider an appropriate use of governmental dollars or taxpayer funds. It crosses a line I think should not be crossed. That really is my main point.
Sep 2, 2013, 4:17 pm
Is it legal to drink booze when you float by Bronco Stadium now that is legal to drink on both sides of the river during a Bronco game?…. Just wondering.
EDITOR NOTE–Only from an opaque cup with one foot touching the bottom and you must wear orange and blue.
Sep 2, 2013, 6:30 pm
Right on My Two Cents, absolutely correct! No tax payer dollars should support a private business. Epley’s needs to run on their own if they are making $450,000 they need to get their own place and their own equipment. Quit using equipment and buildings that are paid for and supported with tax payer money. I still believe that Ada County needs to show where Epley’s has paid for and is maintaining all equipment. Their responses to the Boise Guardian seem a little contradictory.
Sep 3, 2013, 2:31 pm
As someone that loves to float the river, and someone that just uses the shuttle busses, I am happy about the arrangement.
Epley’s does a great job. They are hopping EVERY time I have gone. The river is full of people enjoying themselves. I am curious how much the county sees in parking fees during the summer. The last time we went, Barber Park was FULL. As in, no more cars were allowed in.
People are just complaining about the Epley portion, I wonder how much the county/city make in total. I be it is a nice amount of money.
This for something that is very inexpensive for people. I too view it as win-win. Not EVERYTHING has to be beat down in government. If everything is working well, why “rock the raft”?
Sep 5, 2013, 1:56 pm
Haven’t floated the river in close to 20 years. Do I gather from some of the comments that folks providing their own raft and arranging their own shuttle still have to pay a fee of sorts? Just curious.
EDITOR NOTE–Free floating. They charge for tubes, rafts, parking, bus shuttle back to Barber, but the river float itself is free with your own gear…and free air according to the note from Maneely.
Sep 5, 2013, 9:55 pm
Thanks Mr. Maneely but a little late to act transparent seems like you should have done your homework first and spoke to the Interim Parks Director.
So, what others say is true us taxpayers are subsidizing a private business! Did the County ask Epley’s to invest this money and did the County verify the exact amount of money they invested before extending the contract. What is the exact amount of money the County makes after removing the maintenance cost and personnel time?
If you want to be transparent then put it all out there. Lets see the contracts, the amount of money made, maintenance costs (both County and Epley’s), the cost and exactly what Epley’s purchased to extend the contract since 2008.
Sep 6, 2013, 8:41 am
ahhhhhhhh, memories of floating the river back when adults never did. Back when the banks was Tate Dairy Farm and barbed wire fences came down into the water.
Now THOSE were the fun days of floating.
We often got out at one park just to run back to another to get another float in while waiting for a late parent to pick us up from the (then new) Ann Morrison Park – or where ever it was we were to meet.
Personally, I don’t float anymore as I don’t like wall to wall tubes – and who knows who has just peed up river from you.
Sep 6, 2013, 2:51 pm
@Muck Raker: Floating is free, if you have your own equipment. Riding the packed bus, costs $3 per person. Filling with air, is free. Parking at Barber Park, on the weekend, I believe is $6.
What my wife and I do, is take our raft to Ann Morrison Park, ride the bus ($6 total) to Barber, fill the raft up, float back to Anne Morrison, deflate the raft, and go home. It is cheap, and fun. Probably the best entertainment bang for the buck in the valley.
I’m curious why entrance to Barber park isn’t mentioned in all of this. While a handful of vehicles parked there are probably not floating, the vast majority are, and the last time we went, it was sold out, and filled to over-flow (they were parking in expanded parking areas).
As I said before, as someone that floats the river, if Epilees is making money, the city/county is keeping people happy, it sounds like things are going well. Figure in that the county is in addition MAKING money, plus all the parking at Barber, it should be a win-win.
Floating the Boise is a great public goods service. It’s a good tourist attraction, to bring people in, and sell the city. Not sure why so many people get upset that a company that is doing good, MAY be making an extra bit of money, when ultimately, we are looking at win-win.