Commissioners authorize chairman to sign intent to purchase Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

Williams County commissioners on Aug. 5 authorized the chairman to sign an intent‑to‑purchase agreement for the Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds after county staff reported the fair association had accepted the county’s offer subject to stipulated terms.

County staff said the fair association’s written response agreed to the county’s stipulations and asked that the association continue to provide liquor service at the fairgrounds; county staff said that arrangement is the county’s intent as well. Staff also noted that the curling club maintains a seasonal liquor license for its leased period and that the county intends to respect existing arrangements where feasible.

County administration said it would contact lessees and stakeholder groups that use the grounds to provide notice and begin coordinating the transition. Staff plans to bring updates to the board at future meetings, including a budget for operations and management in the remainder of 2025 and for 2026 once timing of the purchase is clear.

The board voted to authorize the chairman to sign when county staff and counsel finalize the last administrative edits to the intent document; the motion passed by roll call. Commissioners said the county’s intention is to preserve current user access and to minimize disruption for groups that rent or lease space at the fairgrounds while planning for county ownership and management.