Board notes Cloverleaf building damage from homeless shelter; county contract requires restoration

Washington County Fair Board members were briefed on July 2 that the Cloverleaf Building — currently used this season as a homeless shelter under a county contract — has sustained damage that will require substantial repairs when the contract ends.

A board presenter said the county holds the contract with the shelter operator and pays the fair for use of the Cloverleaf Building; the county is contractually responsible for returning the building to its original condition at the end of the contract, which the presenter said is set to expire next June. The presenter listed likely repairs including siding replacement, repainting, floor work and bathroom remodeling.

The board was told repairs needed to make the building usable for 4‑H this year have already been completed so that Cloverleaf can host 4‑H activities during the fair. The presenter said longer‑term cosmetic and structural repairs will be undertaken by the county once the contract ends.

During public comments a fair volunteer asked about refrigerators and stoves in Cloverleaf. Staff clarified refrigerators are in storage (kept in Wingspan for safekeeping between uses and scheduled for service) and that the building currently cannot use gas stoves because of a gas leak and insufficient electrical capacity for electric ranges; staff said stoves will not be returned to the building until those safety and utility issues are resolved.

Ending: The board did not take formal action at the July 2 meeting on repairs; staff said the county will be responsible for the building’s restoration when the shelter contract expires.