Park County fairgrounds and parks staff presented a FY26 budget snapshot at a June 3 Board of Commissioners workshop, saying projected revenues total $326,318 against estimated expenditures of $326,518 and identifying a potential draw from Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) of about $55,000 that could fall to roughly $20,000 depending on year-end cash and grant awards.

The presentation, delivered in the Commissioners’ Chambers, highlighted several capital requests the presenter described as essential: filling a failing metal septic tank behind the fairgrounds office, repairing Arch Park’s sprinkler system, and limited Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to restroom entrances. The presenter said the septic tank collapse created a safety hazard: "I definitely need to address this" after describing a child partially falling into a sinkhole above the failing tank. The presentation made clear these are budget requests, not actions the board adopted at the meeting.

The budget snapshot combines revenue streams from taxes and state funds, rental and operations income, and PILT. The presenter told commissioners projected rental and operations income reflects an approximate 2% increase and noted a recent drop in the county’s agricultural-fair funding line: "a significant cut of funding for the agricultural fair which was decreased from $57,000 annually to $3,500," a change the presenter said shifted how fair-related costs are recorded.

On staffing, the presenter said the fairgrounds budget shows 2.125 full-time equivalent positions (FTE) including the year-round manager and seasonal employees; some seasonal workers convert to a "seasonal" classification after returning for a second season and may become eligible for benefits. "I think I budgeted probably a little bit less, like, on the lower end of what my needs would be for staffing," the presenter said, adding that operational growth will require careful management to avoid exceeding staffing capacity.

Event and rental revenues drew discussion. Equipment rent and lease revenue was noted as variable: the presenter said the budget projected $45,000 but actuals were near $60,000 this year, boosted in some years by film crews and larger events. Commissioners and staff discussed possible revenue-raising measures, including applying annual Consumer Price Index adjustments to rental rates, separate charges for tables and chairs, or reassessing special-event fees and janitorial surcharges. The presenter cautioned that higher fees could drive some users away but that long-term contracts and the fair’s VIP tent could add revenue; negotiations over the VIP tent were described as likely to add an estimated $13,000 to $14,000 for FY26 in addition to the base rent paid by the Roundup organizers.

Utilities and other operating costs were discussed. The presenter said utility costs had fallen in part due to a solar project but that water leaks remain a concern; utility budget lines were described as somewhat volatile because of delayed billing and reimbursements from users such as the ice rink (the presenter said reimbursements for utilities from the rink appear in a recharge revenue line near $7,000). The presenter identified a separate capital project already in process, including replacement of a water service and installation of three hydrants to address leaks.

Staff also described longer-term revenue options. The presenter raised the possibility of resuming campground operations if legislation and subdivision requirements allow, noting a prior campground once brought in about $80,000; a change in state/local rules had previously shut that use down. The presenter also raised an option to sell or transfer a grant-funded bulk-fill water/fuel station that is on county property; county legal counsel was contacted to evaluate options, and the presenter said relocation or auction would be the preferred approach to avoid easement complications.

On grants and outside funding, staff said some capital work might be covered by grants or nonprofit partners (the presenter cited "Friends of the Fairgrounds and Parks") and noted an EECBG HVAC program payment of roughly $56,000 in the last year that should offset costs. The presenter said the Health Department and other grant sources have been used in recent years to support ADA work and other repairs.

No formal budget votes or directives were taken at the workshop. Commissioners asked questions, suggested possible paths for rate-setting and contract negotiations, and were told staff can return with refined projections and proposals. The meeting closed without action on the FY26 budget; a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.