Expo Center reports summer events, weed department outlines inspections and spraying plans

David Flattery, Saline County livestock and expo director, gave an August update covering June through August operations at the Expo Center, the weed department and county farm.

On the Expo Center side, Flattery said the county hosted 67 event days over the period, completed interior painting and arena repairs, filled the last open Expo Center position, and installed sponsorship displays. He said the Expo Center also patched panels in a livestock barn and reclaimed a forklift from a vendor.

For the Noxious Weed Department, Flattery said the county recently filled an applicator position and that staff have continued right-of-way spraying, inspections of reported noxious weeds, spot spraying of Johnson grass and musk thistle re-inspections. He said staff completed summer training (Fred Pryor training) for continuing education and performed routine vehicle and equipment repairs.

Flattery also said county grounds maintenance bids are open and will be opened Aug. 18, and that fence negotiations for the farm's south and east sides will follow. On budget metrics he reported percentages of budget used for the Expo Center and the weed department and said the weed capital outlay had a remaining balance; detailed line-item numbers should be checked against county financial records for precision.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about fence scope and bid timing; Flattery said some adjacent landowners may contribute to a full-mile fence project. Commissioners thanked him for the report; no action was required on the informational item.