The Stark County Park Board approved $150,000 to construct a 30-by-100 livestock shelter at the county fairgrounds and set plans for a stakeholder meeting to define staffing and management of the grounds.

At the meeting, contractor Tracy (Two's Construction) presented preliminary pricing for a 30-by-100 livestock structure and options for roof and eave heights. Tracy told the board a single metal building with a screw-down roof would cost about $148,427; lowering the eave height from 12 feet to 10 feet would reduce cost by roughly $900 per building. Tracy summarized: "Changing the Eve height from 12 feet to 10 feet would save you about $900 per building because there's no sheeting."

Following discussion about animal shade, equipment access and future power needs, a motion to authorize $150,000 from the construction/capital projects fund to build the first 30-by-100 livestock structure passed on a roll call vote. The meeting record shows the roll-call sequence: "Commissioner White. Aye. Commissioner kerrace. Aye. Commissioner Messer. Aye. Commissioner Fransick. Aye. Chair votes aye." The motion was recorded as approved and the funds were allocated to the construction fund.

Why it matters: board members said the new shelter would expand covered stall space and improve fairgrounds operations as the county completes a larger livestock building and supporting infrastructure. Commissioners discussed long-term maintenance, electrical and water service needs, and the structure's clear-span design to permit interior stall installation after construction.

Fairgrounds staffing and roles: The board spent substantial time discussing whether fairgrounds operations and event coordination should be managed directly by the county road department, by a county-hired park director/coordinator, or by the Fair Association under a revised lease. Todd Miller, road superintendent, reported the road department would clean an overflowed retention pond and handle heavy equipment tasks. Board members said they want clearer division of responsibility and recommended a separate stakeholder meeting that would include the Fair Association, 4-H, the Roughrider Commission and city partners to define an events coordinator or park director role and clarify who would provide routine maintenance, event staffing and capital-project oversight.

Stakeholder meeting and next steps: Board members agreed to schedule a stakeholder meeting to refine the job description and responsibilities for the proposed park/fairgrounds position. The board proposed meeting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 and asked county staff to notice the meeting so volunteers and partner organizations can attend.

Ending: Construction of the first livestock shelter was authorized and staff were directed to coordinate procurement and follow up with the contractor. The board scheduled a stakeholder meeting to determine operational arrangements and the job description for a park or events coordinator.