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Dunn County fair projects $45,000 shortfall; longtime coordinator warns role unpaid and unsustainable
Summary
Fair coordinator Deb told the committee the fair was successful but projected a $45,004.50 deficit in 2025; she said the position is voluntary and the program relies heavily on her year-round work. Committee finance staff offered to supply a deeper revenue/expense breakdown at the next meeting.
The Dunn County Facilities Committee heard that the 2025 Dunn County Fair ran successfully but currently shows a projected shortfall of $45,004.50, and the fair's longtime coordinator said the operation depends on unpaid, year-round labor that may not be sustainable.
Deb, who leads fair operations and serves on the fair board, told the committee: "The fair is over, except for all of the back end work that I'm still working on'part of it. We had a successful fair. Exhibits were up. We had more commercial vendors this year than last year." She reported the fair auction grossed $310,916 on 55 heads but said the cost center projection in the packet shows a $45,004.50 negative position for the year.
Why this matters: the fair is largely supported by a mix of fees, sponsorships, in-kind contributions and county fund balance. Committee members pressed staff for clarity about whether all revenues have been recorded and how much of any shortfall would be covered by the county.
Deb told the committee the fair position has been voluntary since 2021 and that she coordinates most fair activity year-round. "I'm not gonna do this forever," she said in explaining concerns about succession. She warned that many other fairs in the state have paid managers or contracted coordinators; she provided a summary of how neighboring counties support fairs as part of the packet.
Committee finance discussion: A supervisor asked, "So does the county make up the 45,000?" County finance staff responded that, if projections hold, the shortfall would come from fund balance and that staff would compile a more detailed breakdown of revenues and outstanding bills for the next meeting. Finance staff said the current packet shows figures entered into the county financial system through July and that some bills and reconciliations remain pending.
Revenue details discussed: Deb said she had identified $951 missing from sponsorship receipts and noted about $12,000 in in-kind contributions that are not counted as cash revenue. Staff said public charges include carnival, commercial vendor fees, entry fees and donations; admission at the gate is $5 per person.
Operational challenges: committee members and staff described gate breaches where visitors entered without paying by moving or tearing down temporary snow fence; Deb and facilities staff said fencing was replaced daily during the event and that some attendees still circumvented paid entry. Committee members raised concerns about lost revenue and liability from unsanctioned park access.
Next steps: county finance staff agreed to perform a deeper review of fair finances and return a line-by-line report at the next committee meeting. Deb urged the committee to consider how the county might support fair coordination and succession planning if she reduces or stops providing unpaid oversight.
Ending: the committee asked staff to return financial detail and consider operational changes to reduce gate evasion and help sustain fair staffing going forward.
