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Neosho County Fairboard outlines stable budget, highlights fairgrounds use and recent grants
Summary
Fairboard representatives told commissioners this year's fair budget is similar to last year's; they highlighted rental income from a newer building, recent grants for facility upgrades, and rising costs for judges and awards.
Representatives of the Neosho County Fairboard presented a mostly status-quo budget to county commissioners on June 3 and described recent investments and operating pressures at the fairgrounds.
The fair representative said the 2026 budget includes modest increases to account for higher travel reimbursements for judges and other costs. She said finding livestock judges has become more expensive and that the fair now hires judges from farther away; a beef judge who once cost $100 may now cost $400. Ribbon costs and awards have leveled or decreased, while the fairboard has taken on some legacy award costs from donors who can no longer supply them.
The fairgrounds' new building, now about five years old, brings steady rental revenue that covers utilities and helps toward insurance; the presenter said the structure has been used for weddings, auctions and multi-county events. The fairboard has begun renting the facility and would like rental revenue to cover a share of insurance costs as well.
The presenter described recent capital grants: a Farm Credit grant paid for a new roof and interior ceiling on the open-class building; a K-State grant ("K-State 105") funded kitchen upgrades including a new hood and slip-resistant floor; and the fairboard plans LED lighting and a modest HVAC unit for one building. The fair representative said grants have become a key revenue source for infrastructure improvements.
The board asked commissioners to continue its ongoing support; no specific new appropriation requests were made during the presentation. Commissioners acknowledged the fairgrounds' regional draw and the fairboard's continued reliance on grants for capital work.
Ending: The fairboard will continue to monitor rental and grant income and asked commissioners to keep the fair supported in future budgets; commissioners did not take immediate fiscal action at the work session.
