Routt County commissioners on June 30 said they will increase engagement with the county fair board after a facilitated meeting they described as productive.

The session — run by facilitator Kathy Chandler — prompted the commissioners to propose regular budget updates to the fair board, a fall appreciation/working meeting and periodic facilitated check-ins to clarify roles between the county and the volunteer board.

Why it matters: The fairgrounds host county events and draw summer tourism; commissioners said better communication and clearer roles could help planning, maintenance and volunteer retention. Commissioners also discussed limited county resources and the trade-offs of giving the fair board more autonomy.

At the meeting commissioners said the facilitated session "went much better than I had hoped," and that fair board members expressed feeling "underappreciated" and wanting more involvement in budgeting and the master-plan process. The commission agreed to invite the fair board to regular budget presentations so members can see a live P&L and discuss shifting line items if needed.

Commissioners and staff asked for a written debrief from Kathy Chandler and discussed scheduling a combined appreciation/working dinner tentatively for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., to be held at a local venue. Commissioner comments emphasized that the fairgrounds budget (facilities investment) and the fair operating budget (the event) are distinct and that the board could be included in both conversations where appropriate.

Board members asked to be more involved in master-plan work; commissioners said the county will retain ultimate authority but agreed to solicit the board’s input as the county updates the fairgrounds master plan. Commissioners also discussed creating clearer organizational charts and delineations of responsibility as part of that work.

On compensation for the facilitator: Chandler told meeting organizers she did not plan to charge for the session; commissioners said they will ensure she is paid and that future engagements should include a professional services agreement in advance.

What was not decided: No formal transfer of fiscal control to the fair board was approved. Commissioners said they will consider more involvement for the fair board but retained that budgeting authority remains with county staff and the commission.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to share Chandler’s written debrief when available, to place the Sept. 17 hold for a fair-board appreciation/working meeting, and to discuss a recurring check-in cadence. They also asked staff to present a simple, regular financial update for fair-board meetings so volunteers can track revenues and expenses.

Speakers quoted or cited in the meeting included County Manager Jay, County Attorney Linnea, fair-board president Dave Long and facilitator Kathy Chandler, who led the session.

Ending: Commissioners said the investment in the fairgrounds and fair operations will continue, noting recent facility work and the need to fix long-standing problems (for example, long-unrepaired restroom facilities at the grandstands) as part of a larger maintenance and master-plan effort.