The Custer County Ag Society held two meetings Thursday evening, November 12. The Regular Fair Board session started at 7:00 PM in the Shooting Sports Building on the Custer County Fairgrounds, with the Annual Meeting starting at 7:30.
After the Board approved the October minutes, bills, and financial report with little discussion, at the outset of the regular meeting, General Manager Clay Hayes provided a summary of activities through the prior month.
October was fairly quite according to Hayes, with only one major event. Feedback received from participants in the Nebraska 4D Barrel Racing finals was overall very positive however, with the event organizers happy to be back in Broken Bow. Hayes noted the event brought in about $12,000 for the Fairgrounds, along with any economic bump to the community overall.
The winter barrel racing continues with events every other Wednesday night. The next event, which promises to be well attended, will be November 18.
The HR Committee indicated they had held their 6-month review for General Manager Hayes. Fair Board President Brian Palmer noted that, as he had previously stated, he feels that out of any number of potential applicants, Hayes was and continues to be “the right guy for the job.”
Shelby Spanel was appointed the Chair of the Ag Society Winter Ball committee. With only 2 ½ months remaining until the soiree, Palmer noted there is a lot to do, and not much time remaining before the event. The group was put on notice that all hands would be needed to wrap up the preparations.
In new business at the regular meeting, the Board approved the purchase of new overhead doors for buildings 6 and 21. The new doors will replace worn and drafty entrances currently in place – especially important in building 21, which has to remain heated through the winter. Total cost for both doors, installed, will be just shy of $10,000. The board noted that this was short of the threshold required for multiple sealed bids for the work, to be done by Weathercraft of Broken Bow.
Bylaws Committee Chair Scotti Ross stated that the updated bylaws have been reviewed by Custer County Attorney Steve Bowers. However, further review by Alan Wood, a Lincoln attorney specializing in Ag Society activities in Nebraska has reached a point where a formal agreement and fees for service will be required. Ross indicated she would get an estimate for the fees.
Because the changes being made to the bylaws do not touch on board makeup issues the document will be able to be approved at a regular Fair Board session. Pending further review, action on the Bylaws was tabled to the December meeting, concluding the regular session.
The Annual Meeting of the Custer County Ag Society began with a reading and approval of the minutes from last year’s November 13, 2025 Annual meeting.
Palmer provided an overview of the Societies funds at fiscal year end on June 30th, 2026, noting an overall balance across accounts of $195,291 and change, $55,000 higher than at the same point the prior year. Palmer noted a more in-depth review of the year would be provided at the upcoming Winter Ball.
Every year, three board positions open on the Ag Society. Board seats are open to any Custer County resident, with a limit of three Broken Bow residents in any given election cycle. This year, Board Members Spanel and Jake Rosentreader opted to run to retain their seats. After 2 ½ years on the Board, Board Secretary Desirei Cook elected to leave the board.
Open nominations garnered two contenders, Chris Boehley, of rural south Broken Bow and Megan Bachman, from north of Merna. A statement by Boehley, who was not available for the meeting, was read by Board Member Clint Lambrecht, highlighting his past experience on the Nuckolls County Ag Society. Bachman noted her leadership in 4-H, kids’ involvement in rodeo and FFA, and excitement about the new events that have been added to the fairgrounds lately.
Voting was open to all members of the board and public at the meeting. In the end, Spanel and Rosentreader retained their seats, and Bachman was voted in to replace Cook.
With that, the Annual Meeting of the Custer County Ag Society was adjourned at 7:58 PM.
The next regular session of the Custer County Ag Society will be Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 PM.
