The Custer County Ag Society met in regular session Thursday evening, August 13. Board President Brian Palmer called the meeting to order at the Shooting Sports Building on the Custer County Fairgrounds at 7:01 PM. Board members Desirei Cook and Andy Gibbons were absent from Thursday’s meeting.
Fair Board Looks Back at Trying, Successful Custer County Fair
General Manager Clay Hayes reported on a successful Custer County Fair, despite torrential rain over night Monday, July 27. Hayes said there were too many people to thank for their assistance throughout the fair week, but that he especially wanted to thank those who jumped in to help after the flooding experienced in the fairgrounds.
Hayes stated that although this was his first year with the Custer County Fairgrounds, he had a number of notes for areas that could be improved for next year.
Custer County Extension educator Troy Walz also praised an amazing and smooth fair experience, noting the new tie-outs for cattle and the work done in the barns as highlights.
Walz provided the Board with comments gathered from the public. While generally positive, one item Walz highlighted in the comments was the lack of restroom facilities on the fairgrounds.
Board Member Mark Cardoza reported on Open Class exhibits, indicating there were 326 items shown, with 98 residents showcasing their art, textiles, garden produce and crafts.
Cardoza noted that the exhibit area under the fairgrounds grandstands was not immune to water issues with a number of leaks affecting some displayed items. Likewise those showing quilts were concerned with the open, dusty display area – another area to improve in future years.
In all, $400.75 were paid in premium awards to Open Class exhibitors. With the fair ending July 31, the Board put off a discussion of overall Ag Society finances until the September regular session.
Review of Policies Result in Changes to Committees
Following a lengthy discussion, the Board established a new Conflict of Interest and Procurement policy. The policy clarifies the approval process for goods and services purchased by the Fair Board, and set strict limits on how Board members could be involved in providing those services.
Among the new procedures demanded by the policy are a requirement to obtain written quotes on any service or product valued over $5,000, and for board members who may be involved in providing services to be removed from any board duties related to those services.
Although occurring prior to the approval of the policy during the meeting, Board Member Andy Gibbons, who often bid on electrical work for the Board in the past year through his company Gibbons Electric, was removed from the Building and Grounds committee. Board President Palmer took his place on the board, in part to provide a more direct line of communication with Hayes, as the committee and Hayes often work together on projects on the fair grounds.
The Board disbanded the Arena Committee, noting most of the work of that committee could be done under the auspices of the Building and Grounds group, and established a new Strategic Advisory Committee chaired by Board Member Scotti Ross to begin development of a 1, 3, and 10-year strategic plan for the fairgrounds.
Among the objectives of the Strategic Advisory Committee will be research on the construction of a multi-use exhibit hall to replace the Agriculture Hall, Building 13, and concession stand on the east side of the fairgrounds. It was noted that such a building has been a goal of the Ag Society going back at least 30 years.
Other Ag Society Actions
The Board authorized a levy request to the county of $197,352. Palmer told the board they were allowed to request up to 2.5% over the prior year’s request, with an additional 1% cap on top of that. The request will now go before the Custer County Board of Supervisors, establishing the budget number that the Ag Society will work within for the next year.
Ross has been tasked with a review and update of the Ag Society Bylaws, reporting that language in the Bylaws she has been able to review includes language dating to the incorporation of the Society in 1929, including reference to stockholders who helped raise funds to establish the fairgrounds.
Ross stated the bylaws have multiple layers with different concerns, and is aiming to provide a full update by November.
The Board approved up to $2,500 for Hayes to purchase and install a flat bed to replace the current bed in the fairgrounds’ pickup truck. Hayes told the Board that a flatbed could be obtained from Farritor Auto Parts in Broken Bow, and that V-Bar Trailer Sales could remove the existing bed and install the new one. Hayes and Board Member Jake Rosentreader cited visibility and safety concerns, as well as general utility, as reasons to replace the current bed
The Mud Drag race scheduled for this weekend was canceled. Hayes told the Board that the Fairgrounds did not have the equipment needed by the show producers.
The meeting of the Custer County Ag Society adjourned at 8:26 PM. The next meeting of the Fair Board will be Thursday, September 10 at 7:00 PM in the Shooting Sports Building on the Custer County Fairgrounds.
