Council releases $25,000 to Fairgrounds Commission for 2025 building repairs after suspending land-only restriction

Council Member Jen Dallas (District 6) asked the council to suspend a rule that restricted certain fairgrounds funds to land-related improvements and to release $25,000 budgeted for 2025 to the Fairgrounds Commission to address repairs on city-owned buildings including the Expo Building and the round barn. Dallas reviewed prior history: in the early 2000s the city and county each deposited $25,000 annually into a Fairgrounds Commission account; after a $400,000 loan the city and county entered into a 2012 agreement under Resolution 2012-15 to repay the loan with annual payments of $25,000 for a 10-year period. Dallas said the 2024 budgeted $25,000 was reabsorbed into the general fund because of the wording of Resolution 83-41 and the commission's bylaws, which specified land-related improvements only. She asked the council for a one-time suspension of the rule to permit the 2025 budgeted $25,000 to be used for building repairs. Alderman Keran moved to suspend the rule and release $25,000; Alderman Giles seconded. Council members discussed whether to release the missed 2024 payment as well; staff reported the 2024 funds had been reabsorbed into the general fund, and Dallas clarified she sought only the 2025 payment. Park and recreation staff indicated the commission funds must be spent on city-owned properties and buildings. Council voted to suspend the rule and release the 2025 payment; the motion passed. Council members also noted that fairgrounds projects had been listed as unfunded in the recent CIP process and indicated further review of CIP priorities would be needed.