The Custer County Ag Society met for a regular board meeting Thursday night on the fairgrounds in Broken Bow starting at 7 PM. Desirei Cook and Rodney Lamb were absent but excused.
Fair livestock auction decisions
Two main discussions of topic connected to the fair took place during Thursday’s meeting: The offer from Broken Bow Livestock to manage the livestock auction and the weigh-in for said auction.
It was stated that Broken Bow Livestock had said they are willing to clerk the livestock auction at no cost as a way to support the kids and the air. Several board members were encouraged by the ability to accomplish payments and check printing the night of the auction which would save money on postage and eliminate the handling of large amounts of money for sustained amounts of time.
The board decided on continuing discussions with Broken Bow Livestock about working together. It was added that Jim Eberle and Cory Palmer would remain as auctioneers for the auction.
In other auction-related discussion the board voted unanimously to eliminate the Thursday weigh-in, leaving the Sunday weigh-in as the lone time across the scales for all livestock. A universal shrink will be set for each animal and apply universally.
Pedal tractor pull sponsorship going forward
After discussion and being informed that the fair committee recommendation was to not sponsor the pedal tractor pull, the board voted unanimously to no longer be a sponsor. Discussions spanned the subjects of varying locations for the pull over the years as well as low participation before the decision was made.
Board starts search for open class management
The board thanked LaVonne McGraw for the management of open class entries at the fair for many years, stating that she worked tirelessly to see that everything went off without a hitch. In the interest of continuing open class entries at the fair, which had 91 exhibitors and 430 exhibits last year, the board agreed to pursuing more information in order to start the process to finding a new manager.
Remaining fair items from Thursday’s meeting
- The board unanimously approved optional horse stalling at the fair for competitors in all events.
- The board unanimously approved placing an Ag Society ad in the premium book
- Summer help that was hired last year will be asked if they would like to help with fairground tasks again this year before advertising for summer help again
Contract needed for fairground CDL training use
The board discussed one of many uses the fairgrounds sees throughout the year: its use as a CDL driving training site. The board expressed a desire to work up a contract that those using the grounds for training can sign and pay a cost toward as to eliminate the possibility of liability issues in the event of an accident. The executive committee will finalize the contract and bring it back to the board.
Board approves sale of fairground equipment
A Buddy trailer and stall panels were approved for sale by the board on Thursday night. The Buddy trailer was stated to have several new parts on it and have very low miles. It will be sold for no less than what the outstanding loan amount is. Stall panels will be sold for $125 per panel or at $100 per panel if ten or more are purchased.
Other general subjects from Thursday’s meeting
- Broken Bow MS/HS Principal Dan Helberg came before the board expressing a desire to have a group of sophomores and seniors work on projects at the fairgrounds during their volunteer day on April 1. The board seemed positive they would be able to come up with projects the kids could assist with.
- The board approved a $7,500 offering from Industrial Tower West LLC in the moving of the Viaero tower on the fairgrounds, which would assist the county and city of Broken Bow with a drainage project in the area
- During the grounds committee report, several projects were announced as completed across the grounds in the last month including multiple roll-offs being filled and removed, handles on playground equipment being fixed, portable bleachers being fixed, the back equipment area being half cleaned out, and the building six wall being back on its foundation
Subjects brought about during ‘Other Concerns’
Custer Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Scotti Ross filled the board in on preparations for the arrival of Bike Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) riders. Breakfast was planned for, but an opportunity exists the evening the riders are staying at the fairgrounds for entertainment and food.
4-H Shooting Sports Leader Dave Haumont came before the board with a concern about the leaking roof of the shooting sports building, the building in which the meeting was taking place. He said that a few years in the past a grant had been written for and awarded in the amount of $24,000 to be used for roof repair and/or replacement. Gesturing to the current state of ceiling tiles and several stains, he said that he believes the money was either not spent or the work completed was “shoddy”. Board members to both sides of President Brian Palmer nodded their heads in agreement when Palmer said that they needed to do some digging to be better informed as current members of the board as to what exactly happened.
Haumont repeatedly expressed his appreciation for the building and that he believes you have to drive a very far distance to find a shooting building of its quality.
Thursday night’s meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.
