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Lebanon to Annex County Fairgrounds; City Plans 10–15 Year Lease to Preserve Fair
Summary
Warren County commissioners discussed a proposed annexation of county-owned fairgrounds by the City of Lebanon. Lebanon City Manager Scott Branca said the city expects to enter a 10–15 year lease with the agricultural society to keep the fair on the property; commissioners noted Ohio law does not require the county to hold a fair.
Warren County commissioners discussed a proposed annexation and transfer of county-owned fairgrounds to the City of Lebanon, and the city’s plan to preserve the annual fair through a long-term lease.
“There is no legal obligation for the county to hold a fair. That is not the law in Ohio,” a Warren County commissioner said during the meeting, noting the county’s authority and the distinction between ownership and operational responsibility.
Scott Branca, city manager for the City of Lebanon, said the city is “very committed to keeping the fair there.” Branca told the commissioners, “we anticipate entering into a 10 to 15 year lease agreement with the Ag Society to continue, supporting the fair on the property. And, you know, we're ready to move forward with that process now.”
Commissioners and city staff discussed ancillary concerns raised by community members, including the future of 4‑H programming and boarding operations at the fairgrounds. One commissioner said the county’s negotiating position prioritized protecting the 4‑H program and treating horse boarders “in a fair manner” after the recent announced closure of a boarding operation. County officials noted the agricultural society currently controls fair operations on the parcels in question even though the county owns the land.
The discussion also touched on the public interest in keeping the fair at the current site and the city’s broader downtown revitalization efforts. A commissioner characterized the proposed transfer as “a good deal from both parties” and said Lebanon, the county’s second-largest city, has “done a great job of revitalizing your downtown core.”
No formal vote or ordinance was recorded in the transcript; commissioners said further details and formal steps would follow as the city and county finalize terms.
Commissioners asked city staff to provide more documentation and to move the process forward, with the expectation that a lease and related agreements would be finalized in coming weeks or months.
