Commission approves $250,000 increase to Eddy County Fair funding, amends agreement for July event

The Eddy County Commission voted to amend a multi-year agreement and increase the county contribution for the Eddy County Fair, approving $250,000 in additional funding aimed at supporting the July fair and fairground operations.

County staff said the amendment (identified in meeting materials as Agreement A25-22 amending A24-53) expands the scope of work and increases compensation to help fair organizers pay for entertainment, outreach and additional services related to fairground construction work that will affect access and logistics. The manager’s memo to the board said the augmentation includes an immediate $250,000 allocation to support the upcoming July fair.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the amending agreement, and the roll-call vote recorded Trost, Klein, Bowen and Carlson voting “Yes.” They then approved a budget adjustment request to add $250,000 for the July 2025 Eddy County Fair; that motion also passed by the same roll-call vote.

The board subsequently approved Resolution R25-34 to set FY2025–26 Eddy County Fair and Fairground Management funding at $250,000 (an increase from $150,000 in prior documentation), while keeping the separate fairground management allocation at $50,000. Commissioners discussed timing so funds would be available for the July event and confirmed the increase was intended to be used toward entertainment and to offset expenses arising from construction at the fairgrounds.

All motions on the fair agreement, the budget adjustment, and the resolution passed on unanimous roll-call votes recorded in the minutes.