Commissioners back scoping agreement and $1.5 million funding study for new fairgrounds community building

Decatur County commissioners on March 3 approved a scoping agreement with GM Development and authorized a financial feasibility review by Baker Tilly as part of the Ready2 community building project at the county fairgrounds.

The board voted to enter the scoping agreement, which commits the county to reimburse certain upfront costs to the developer (including steel purchases) if the project stops before completion; if the project proceeds the materials would remain county property as described in the agreement. Commissioners also approved a request to have Baker Tilly model funding scenarios for the county’s portion of the project up to $1,500,000 to assess the county’s fiscal exposure under worst-case assumptions.

Project background and site decisions The presenter explained engineers can relocate a water vault north of the planned footprint, allowing the new building to shift west and avoid a costly grade-fill at the northeast corner. The presenter said moving the building away from the steep slope could save an estimated $100,000 in earthwork costs. That shift would bring the new community building closer to an existing small structure known as the Optimist Building (sometimes referenced in the meeting as the Optimus Building). Commissioners approved a conditional motion: if construction requires removing the Optimist Building to make the new building fit properly, the county authorized its removal and replacement as part of the project; if the Optimist Building can be retained and connected with a breezeway, it will be preserved.

“Asking for approval that if construction dictates we remove the Optimist Building, that you guys are approving that,” the presenter said; commissioners voted in favor.

Asbestos remediation and schedule Demolition of the existing community building had been planned to begin immediately, but the project encountered asbestos in the structure. The county reported a remediation contractor was scheduled to inspect the building; the discovery delayed demolition and the project team said remediation work must precede demolition. The presenter said a tentative schedule called for new foundation work the week of March 19 and final sign/installation work the week of March 24 if remediation and permitting proceed on schedule.

Funding and next steps Based on earlier fundraising estimates and a Baker Tilly analysis done last fall, the county’s portion of the project has been estimated at roughly $1,200,000, with private fundraising and in-kind donations expected to cover about $800,000. Commissioners approved the Baker Tilly review up to a $1.5 million high-water mark to test fiscal resilience and to have counsel review legal and financing structures.

Storage, extension office and fair operations Commissioners also discussed keeping the extension office/maintenance building in place as county storage and maintenance space rather than tearing it down for additional parking. After debate, the board voted to retain the extension office building on Lot 5 for fairgrounds maintenance use. The presenter and commissioners acknowledged that construction activity during the fair could require temporary relocation of some fair activities or tenting if areas are under construction.

Why it matters: The scoping agreement and financial review are steps to lock in materials and to test whether the county can responsibly underwrite its share of a community building that county staff say will support fairs and other community events. The Baker Tilly analysis is intended to identify worst-case funding gaps and confirm whether the county can sustain proposed obligations.

Votes and next actions: The commission approved entry into the scoping agreement with GM Development, authorized the Baker Tilly funding analysis up to $1.5 million, conditionally approved removal of the Optimist Building if required for construction, and voted to retain the extension office building for maintenance storage. County staff will follow up on asbestos remediation, finalize site layout with the developer, and report back with detailed financial and legal reviews.