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Commissioners offer to host meeting between fair board and historical society to resolve fairgrounds use
Summary
Commissioners agreed to convene a meeting this winter with the fair board and the historical society to mediate disputes over fairgrounds use, property ownership and event scheduling.
Griggs County commissioners on Sept. 22 agreed to convene county commissioners, representatives of the fair board and the historical society for a facilitated discussion about fairground use and property ownership.
A commissioner reported that members of the historical society had proposed bringing both groups together with the county acting as a mediator to resolve conflicts that have arisen over storage, placement of fair activities (including the demo derby and the new pro rodeo) and ownership of specific parcels and buildings on the fairgrounds. The commissioner disclosed they serve as vice president of the historical society.
Commissioners discussed that portions of the fairgrounds are owned by a mix of entities—the county, the historical society and private owners—while the fair board operates as an established public board that receives mill levy support. Commissioners said they would notify the fair board and historical society and schedule a meeting this winter, and that the meeting may be held as a special session with public notice.
Commissioners also raised that the fair board receives mill levy funding (discussed as three-quarters of a mill in the meeting) and that the fair board has historically generated operating revenue through events; commissioners said they would consider budget requests when preparing the 2026 budget.
