Vermillion County Council approves $20,000 for county fair after Fair Board requests $14,000 for concert and truck/tractor pull

The Vermillion County Council on May (monthly meeting) voted to provide an additional appropriation to the County General Fair Association to support this year’s Vermillion County Fair. The council approved $20,000 from the general fund after the fair board asked for $14,000 to bring a sanctioned truck-and-tractor pull and a concert back to the fair and to help cover week‑of expenses such as garbage pickup.

The request was presented by Matt Fultz, who identified himself as “the president of the fair board.” Fultz told the council the fair’s rodeo is “now a fully sanctioned rodeo. It is more expensive,” and described efforts to bring an ITPA/NTPA‑sanctioned truck-and-tractor pull and a Garth Brooks cover band to perform in front of the grandstands. He said the total projected cost for the fair this year, without the additional request, is $74,500.

Why it matters: county leaders said boosting grandstand programming helps drive attendance and makes better use of the county’s new grandstands. Commissioner R.D. Donovan told the council, “I should believe anytime we can put any events in front of the fairgrounds…this new fair board has really done an excellent job in improving the fair.” The council’s funding decision will increase the county’s contribution to the fair budget and help underwrite the added events organizers said residents requested.

Council discussion covered how fair revenues and sponsorships are used. Fultz said ticket sales “comes back to the fair board,” and described sponsor arrangements in which businesses can sponsor specific events or the fair board generally. Fair board members told the council that last year the board received an additional $17,000 that was not spent and was returned to the county account. The fairboard said sponsors and some in‑kind support (equipment, labor) help cover event costs such as sled rental and official track crews for sanctioned pulls; the $14,000 request was described as covering prize money, sanctioned-event fees and contracted entertainers, and other week‑of expenses.

Council members pressed for clarity on timing and funding sources because the fair is scheduled in mid‑June. Council discussion noted the request had been advertised as coming from the general fund. The board members said they need an answer quickly because vendors are scheduling travel and equipment; the council moved to approve additional appropriation at the meeting. The motion to appropriate $20,000 was made in council and, as recorded, a motion by “Mister Semigreal” and a second from “Mister Bose” carried on a voice vote: “All in favor? Aye.” No recorded opposing votes were announced.

Additional details mentioned during the discussion: - The truck-and-tractor pull will be a sanctioned pull (the fair referenced NTPA/ITPA sanctioning) and will include four classes: three tractor classes and one truck class. - The fair board said the rodeo is on the national schedule and has higher costs as a result. - The fair board leases fairgrounds from the Cayuga Park Board and runs week‑of operations (restroom cleaning, trash, portable toilets, etc.). - The fair board described itself as a nonprofit organization (affirmed on the record). Sponsors such as NAPA were cited as event or derby sponsors.

The council’s action was limited to approving the additional appropriation. The fair board said ticket revenue and sponsorship receipts remain under the board’s control and are intended to roll over to fund subsequent years’ events. No other county policy or ordinance was changed at the meeting, and the council did not attach additional conditions to the appropriation.

The council directed staff to process the appropriation and review bookkeeping with the treasurer; council members also suggested the fair board and county staff consider legal review of future vendor contracts to protect county and board interests. No formal contract award or change to county policy was made at the meeting.

Looking ahead: with the funding approved, fair organizers said they will confirm vendor contracts and continue sponsorship outreach. Council members and commissioners stressed urgency because the fair date is near and vendors are already scheduling travel and equipment.