Commissioners debate fairgrounds purchase as legal talks continue; county manager says attorney contact made

The proposed purchase of the Bradford County fairgrounds drew multiple mentions from commissioners and members of the public at the March 4 meeting, as the county continues legal and financial conversations with the current fair association.

During public comment, resident Paul Steele questioned whether spending tourist‑development funds on a county conference center and fairgrounds purchase was appropriate and urged commissioners to consider the county’s financial ability to own and operate both facilities. Steele suggested lower‑cost alternatives to engineering design work at a boat ramp project and urged staff to pursue cost‑effective options.

County Manager Scott Kornegay told the board he had received an update from the county attorney indicating that the fair association’s attorney had contacted county counsel earlier in the day. Kornegay said the county attorney would provide a fuller report by email later that day. Several commissioners expressed concern about continuing to incur interest and costs while the matter remained unresolved and urged swift resolution. One commissioner quantified recent carrying costs and warned further delay increased expense; another said the board had made efforts to acquire the property twice and emphasized the county’s desire to preserve the fair for youth agricultural programs.

No final decision was made at the meeting; commissioners said staff should follow up with the county attorney and return with a written update. Commissioners reiterated the community importance of the fair’s youth and agricultural events and asked staff to continue exploring options that preserve those functions while protecting county finances.