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Commissioners deny plan to remove or sell fairgrounds, say legal review and possible legislation underway
Summary
Residents asked about rumors that the fairboard now must seek commission approval for events and that the county plans to remove or sell fairgrounds property; commissioners called the rumors false and said they are reviewing statutes and may pursue clarifying legislation.
At a Kootenai County town-hall on April 30, residents pressed commissioners about rumors that the county had limited the fairboard's ability to schedule events and was preparing to remove or sell the fairgrounds. Commissioners and the fairboard pushed back and described ongoing legal review.
Mary Veer asked whether the fairboard must now seek commission approval before scheduling events and whether the county was laying groundwork to sell the fairgrounds. Commissioner Duncan called those claims "fake news" and said the board is "trying to do the best we can to follow the law and protect the fair operation." She said nothing had been decided and that the county is engaged in discussions to satisfy legal requirements while preserving fair operations.
Commissioners referenced Idaho statutes and a court decision they called "the Hansen case" as part of the legal framework they are reviewing. One commissioner said some aspects of the matter involve executive session material and could not be fully discussed publicly. Another commissioner said the county is exploring state-level legislative fixes so local practice and statute are aligned.
Fairboard response: Elise Burton, speaking as a private citizen and a fairboard member, told the meeting the fairboard is "very grateful for the partnership and support of all 3 commissioners" and said the fairboard meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds; she invited residents to attend and to ask questions.
What commissioners said they would do next: They said they will continue frequent discussions with fair leadership, consult legal counsel about statutory interpretation, and pursue legislative change if necessary to codify current practices and avoid future conflicts.
Ending: Commissioners encouraged residents with questions to attend fairboard meetings and future public discussions; they reiterated that no decision to change fair ownership or operations had been made.
