Fairgrounds Approve Budget, Prepare for High School Rodeo in Two Short Meetings
The Custer County Ag Society met for two meetings briefly Thursday evening, September 10 at the Shooting Sports Building on the Custer County Fairgrounds in Broken Bow. Andy Gibbons was the lone absence from both meetings.
It’s budget season. The first meeting, called to order by Board President Brian Palmer at 7:02 PM served as the Ag Society annual budget hearing. Anita Sisemore of Broken Bow accounting agency Dana F. Cole & Co. provided the board with an overview of the budget documents to be provided to the State of Nebraska at the end of the month, including the $197,352 tax ask to the Custer County Commissioners.
After unanimous approval of the proposed 2026-2027 budget, the meeting adjourned at 7:12, with the Regular Session of the Ag Society commencing immediately thereafter.
In Committee Reports, Treasurer Jake Rosentreader noted that with the completion of the Custer County Fair at the end of July, there were several lines of income and expense. The items eliciting the most attention were numerous checks cut for carcass payments following the sale and processing of fair livestock.
Rosentreader also noted that there are two items to be removed from the financial report, with loans for the skid steer and a tractor being paid in full.
Another piece of equipment, a Buddy Trailer used for stall cleaning is being put up for auction as it is not currently being used by the Fairgrounds. In discussion with grounds General Manager Clay Hayes, it was noted that the Ag Society still owes $19,000 on the trailer, and it was not clear that it would be sold for that amount. Palmer stated that any shortfall to pay off the remaining balance could easily be made up from the Society’s current savings.
In New Business, Hayes reported that preparations are well under way for the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association Regional Rodeo to be held on the Fairgrounds this weekend, September 12 and 13. The rodeo features high school rodeo riders from across the state competing in their events. Several Fair Board members have already volunteered and will be on the grounds helping this weekend, but it was suggested that any community members wanting to help as well should contact Shawn Lehmkuhler.
With no further business to conduct, the Fair Board entered into executive session at 7:37 PM, with the meeting to be adjourned immediately thereafter.
The next meeting of the Custer County Ag Society is scheduled for Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 PM in the Shooting Sports Building on the Custer County Fairgrounds.
