Commissioners name commissioner to fairgrounds manager interview panel, discuss adding CSU Extension or fair board member

The Board of County Commissioners on April 8 designated one commissioner to serve on the interview panel for the county’s fairgrounds manager recruitment and discussed whether to include a community representative such as a CSU Extension staffer or a fair board member.

Sherry (fairgrounds staff) said there are 23 applicants and requested a commissioner representative for the four‑person interview panel (Sherry, Kara, Will and one commissioner). A commissioner offered to serve and other commissioners supported that choice. At staff request the board approved a motion designating "Jake" (first name used in the meeting) to serve on the panel; the motion was seconded and recorded in the transcript as carrying unanimously.

Commissioners discussed inviting an external stakeholder in recognition of the fairgrounds’ public‑facing role and cultural significance. Attorney Cassello (county counsel) advised that if the board invites a community representative the county should prefer an organization that already has a contractual or official relationship with the county (for example, CSU Extension) to reduce confidentiality and procurement risks. The board asked staff to contact the CSU Extension office first and, if no representative is available, to consider a fair board member.

The board also discussed keeping the panel to an odd number (five total panelists was proposed as a maximum) and directed staff to proceed with vetting candidates for interviews and to provide application materials to the designated commissioner.