Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development Fairgrounds topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners move forward on Fairgrounds REDI project, approve survey, video and next pay applications
Summary
Facing uncertain state REDI disbursements, Decatur County commissioners approved continued construction draws, a rezoning/survey for the new community building parcel, a $3,000 surveyor contract, and a $2,000 fundraising video deposit; they also approved pay app(s) and a plan to use county funds if needed and seek reimbursement later.
Decatur County commissioners on May 5 voted to continue construction on the county’s Fairgrounds REDI project despite uncertainty about state fund disbursement, authorized a parcel rezoning and hired the county surveyor for $3,000, and approved a $1,000 upfront payment (50% of $2,000) for a fundraising video to aid private fundraising.
Commissioners described the REDI‑funded project as a roughly $4,000,000 effort: the board reported $1,950,000 expected from REDI, roughly $1.2 million committed from the county and about $800,000 from private donations and in‑kind work as written into the proposal. County officials said the state’s timing for releasing REDI payments is uncertain — estimates discussed at the meeting ranged from summer to January 2026 — and that other counties and projects are also awaiting disbursements.
County staff presented three options: halt work until state funds arrive; continue only to an "appreciable" point such as enclosing the building to protect materials; or proceed with the project and cover short‑term cash needs with county funds and then reimburse the county from REDI disbursements or a short‑term loan. Commissioners approved continuing the project and directed staff to pursue short‑term financing options if necessary while using available EDIT funds for immediate draws.
Commissioners also approved rezoning a 2.55‑acre parcel at the fairgrounds from agricultural (A) to a B3 classification to accommodate the community building and related setbacks. They approved a $3,000 contract with the county surveyor, Andy Schulley, to prepare the parcel survey needed for rezoning.
The board approved a pay application for the YMCA OCCA (state) grant that will flow through county administration: pay application No. 4 for the YMCA was $81,375.54 with a reported remaining balance/retainage of $576,627.93; commissioners voted to approve that draw.
The board also approved a $2,000 fundraising video contract from videographer Daniel Fademick, with a 50% deposit of $1,000 to be paid from EDIT funds; the video is intended to provide a single, consistent presentation for the fundraising committee and online outreach. Commissioners said the video and printed pledge materials will standardize outreach by roughly 20 members of the volunteer fundraising team.
Ending: The board said it will meet with REDI administrators and local council members to press for clarity on disbursement timing and will hold a readiness meeting Wednesday to discuss financing strategies.
