County staff presented draft facility policies and proposed rental rates for the new Randolph County Agricultural Center and discussed operational details including booking windows, discounted use for extension/soil-and-water groups, an alcohol prohibition and vendor requirements. Separately, the board approved a settlement and change order to address a design error in the center’s site drainage plans.

Taylor, the agricultural center coordinator, said the proposed booking procedures would prioritize agricultural and civic events, allow Cooperative Extension and Soil and Water to reserve earlier than the general public, and offer discounted rates for nonprofits and school systems. "Alcohol is prohibited," Taylor said when commissioners asked about rules for beverages and vendors; she added that events with displays, trade or shooting-sports components would be reviewed case by case with the Sheriff’s Department and that caterers would be placed on an approved list with insurance requirements.

Why it matters: The AgCenter is intended as a civic and agricultural hub. Staff presented comparative pricing and said many operational details (security, insurance, panel availability and setup/takedown time for livestock events) will be refined in the coming weeks before a final policy returns to the board for approval.

Construction settlement: Will Axton (county staff) and Paxton (project staff) told commissioners that a computer-data error in the Wooton Company’s drainage schedule produced storm-drain elevations that did not match final site grades. The discrepancy surfaced after the contractor set base grades and storm structures. Holden Building Company submitted a change-order request of roughly $330,000 plus a 90-day time extension. Wooton agreed to a settlement with its insurer that covered about $212,000 of the cost; Holden later offered to perform the work for $255,000. The county requested authorization to approve the change order and sign the settlement documents to close the issue.

Action: Commissioners approved the settlement and change order authorizations and an associated project budget amendment so site work can proceed. Paxton said the arrangement requires the county to make up the difference between Holden’s $255,000 price and the insurer-settled $212,000 contribution; the county approved the authorization to move forward.

Ending: Staff said the approvals were time-sensitive to preserve the insurer’s offer and to keep final construction on schedule; final operational policies for bookings and fees will return to the board for a vote at a later meeting.