Fair commissioners press for staff-cost review after years of deficits

Franklin City Fair Commission members on Wednesday discussed rising personnel and sanitation costs tied to the Saint Martin's Labor Day Fair and asked department leaders for data to justify ongoing staffing levels.

Commissioners and staff framed the discussion as an effort to reduce the fair’s annual net cost to the city. “Every time somebody steps foot on the fair footprint, they’re on overtime. That is absolute absurdity,” Fair Commission member John Trudeau said, urging a review of police, fire and public works staffing and overtime practices.

The commission’s packet shows recurring deficits in recent years, speakers said. City staff present said the city contributed roughly $41,000 most recently to offset a remaining $4,000 shortfall. Commissioners noted personnel services have increased sharply over the past decade and now…