Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairpark Farm Bureau topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves Farm Bureau food-stand expansion; county may cover utility relocation
Summary
Washington County’s Land Use and Planning Committee approved a 351-square-foot expansion of the Farm Bureau food stand at the Fair Park and discussed using Fair Park infrastructure funds to cover utility relocation costs pending facilities review and Agricultural Industrial Society input.
WEST BEND, Wis. — The Washington County Land Use and Planning Committee on July 17 approved a proposed 351-square-foot expansion to the Washington County Farm Bureau’s food stand at the Fair Park, subject to facilities review and approval by the Agricultural Industrial Society (AIS).
Jamie Ludovic, chief community development officer, described the project as a roughly $80,000 bump-out to move a hood and open the food-stand interior. Ludovic said the expanded structure would be donated to the county and that the Farm Bureau operates the stand under a long-term lease through the AIS. Because donated permanent structures become county property, the committee’s approval was required to accept the expansion.
Ludovic told the committee the county is considering covering the cost to relocate utilities tied to the expansion from an existing pot of funding for Fair Park infrastructure improvements. He said the county will prepare a fuller report to show how funds from the previously issued debt for Fair Park improvements are being spent. Ludovic said a facilities review is required to resolve details such as materials, paint color and utility relocation costs.
Supervisor Brian Krebs questioned the “minimal cost” estimate for moving utilities, noting that utility relocations often cost more than a “couple thousand dollars.” Ludovic said the county’s public-works office would develop a cost estimate and that staff planned to return with a report on Fair Park spending in the next few months.
Motion and vote: Supervisor Mary moved approval, Supervisor Pridemore seconded, and the committee approved the project with the conditions noted in the staff memo. Staff emphasized that the Farm Bureau must obtain required permits and that facilities and AIS review are part of the approval process.
Committee members asked about long-term maintenance responsibilities. Ludovic said the county generally owns the building structure under the county’s agreements but that the Farm Bureau’s lease and operating arrangements make the lessee responsible for day-to-day interior maintenance; roof and structural issues are typically a collaborative responsibility with AIS and the county.
The committee approved the preliminary authorization and asked staff to return with a facilities review and utility-cost estimate.
