Morrow County OKs up to $30,000 for fairground sheep show ring, directs review of remaining grant funds

The Morrow County Board of Commissioners on May 5 authorized staff to use up to $30,000 of state capital improvement grant funds to build a permanent sheep show ring at the county fairgrounds and directed fair staff and the fair board to review and recommend how to use the remainder of a $1,277,777 state grant.

The action matters because county officials said the fairgrounds have multiple deferred capital needs — including restrooms, dormitory space and a commercial kitchen — and the board instructed staff to identify priority projects so the remaining grant money can be allocated to those needs.

Matthew Johnson, who introduced the item, told commissioners the county received $1,277,777 in state grant money for fairground improvements and that only about $55,000 has been spent on a feasibility study. Johnson said fair staff and the fair board have identified several operational projects that could be funded, including a permanent cover for the sheep show area to replace rented tents.

Michael Duncan, identified in the meeting as a Silver Creek Construction representative, described the proposed structure as “a single slope shed roof” with an open side and steel framing, saying the design provides more shade and cooler temperatures under the roof than traditional alternatives. Duncan said Silver Creek is willing to donate labor for the project and that Ron McCanis — an engineer from Boardman — has agreed to do the structural design.

Johnson said the county’s review with the finance director showed the county could not procure the donated labor under a sole-source exception and would need to put the structural components out to bid under county procurement policy. The county plans to solicit bids immediately if the board approved the authorization and Johnson said the bid period would be two weeks; if the low bid is below a threshold, the county administrator would be authorized to sign the contract and expedite construction.

Commissioners also voted to authorize the county administrator to execute necessary contracts within the $30,000 funding limit and to authorize fair board staff to review critical capital needs and present options for using the remaining state grant funds.

During discussion, fair board members and other speakers said the permanent structure could save the fair $4,000–$6,000 annually compared with renting a tent, and that the work is intended to be completed before this year’s fair if the schedule allows. Johnson also noted other priority needs at the fairgrounds, including restrooms by the exhibit hall and updates to a dormitory building and the commercial kitchen.

The motions passed by voice vote with commissioners saying “Aye”; no roll-call tally with individual names was recorded in the transcript.

The board’s action is procedural: it authorizes staff to solicit bids and execute contracts within the approved dollar threshold and directs further review. The board did not adopt a final allocation plan for the full $1,277,777 grant; staff and the fair board will return with prioritized options.