Umatilla County approves payment to cover $3,281.25 fair security overage

The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners approved a payment of $3,281.25 on Aug. 25 to cover additional security costs at the county fair, the board said during its administrative meeting.

County staff told the board the fair’s security contract required extra staffing because of parking congestion behind the hotel adjacent to the main fair building, and the extra hours pushed the vendor’s invoice above the contract threshold. The payment was referred to the board by finance and approved by motion and voice vote.

The board discussed whether the added cost was justified. One commissioner said that, despite parking problems, the fair experienced no major incidents and that the visible security presence made attendees feel safe. No specific public-safety incidents were reported in the transcript.

The motion was moved and seconded and carried on a voice vote. The county did not state a wider budget impact or whether the extra payment will be absorbed by the fair’s operating budget or requires an appropriation adjustment.

Meeting minutes show the additional amount discussed as roughly $3,281.25 (staff at one point described the overage as “about $4,000,” then confirmed the $3,281.25 figure). The finance referral and the motion to approve were recorded in the meeting transcript.