Teton County officials and fairgrounds representatives discussed the fairgrounds’ operating budget and a request to buy a new water truck, a vehicle fair staff said is needed to maintain grounds and support summer events. The conversation centered on whether to use about $145,000 in remaining cash, redirect levy proceeds or seek a used truck and fundraising to reduce the cost.

County staff and fairgrounds volunteers explained the fair’s revenue mix — rental income, fair-related sponsorships and a line item on the property tax bill — and said fair revenues have been lower this year than previously projected. Fair volunteers described an aging water truck with brake problems and limited capacity; they asked for funding to either buy a new vehicle or pursue a lower-cost used option.

The county finance staff explained how the fair’s property-tax line sits within separate funds and how remaining cash (one-time cash balances) and the county’s 3% levy growth limit interact. Commissioners and staff discussed whether a water truck purchase would count as a capital improvement eligible for impact fees or must come from the fair fund’s remaining cash; staff said capital improvement plan status and fund rules would affect the allowable funding source.

Commissioners and staff pressed fair representatives about alternatives: using a used truck, hiring outside services, increasing sponsorship or holding a capital campaign tied to the recently completed master plan. Fair volunteers said they had considered fundraising and capital-campaign work by volunteers and that they would prefer a used truck if it met safety and capacity needs.

County staff asked to reduce the immediate draw on remaining cash — suggesting using a smaller portion (for example $50,000) now while the fair pursues additional revenue or a lower-cost vehicle — and noted that using remaining cash for one-time capital projects is standard, but remaining cash will not replenish quickly if revenues stay low.

The discussion closed without a formal vote recorded during the meeting; staff said they would return with options showing (a) the cost differences between new and used trucks, (b) possible capital-improvement or impact-fee eligibility and (c) the effect on the fair fund remaining cash and property tax levy for next year.

Ending: County staff and fair leaders agreed to pursue cost and funding options for the truck and to bring specific funding recommendations and cost estimates back to the board for formal action.