Adams County committee approves portable stage purchase, adopts motorized-trails resolution and accepts fairgrounds financials

The Adams County Property, Recreation and Building Committee voted to approve the fairgrounds' 2024 financial report, adopted a resolution to participate in the Wisconsin State motorized recreational grant program and authorized purchase of a portable stage for the county fairgrounds.

The committee reviewed the fairgrounds' annual finances and heard that $50,000 is allocated in the capital budget for a stage and $15,000 for roof repairs. Bill Reynolds, county maintenance, told the committee the operating budget for the grounds is minimal and that some barn repairs are likely this year.

Darren, a parks staff member, introduced the annual resolution to participate in the Wisconsin State motorized recreational grant program. "This is the annual resolution for us to participate in the maintenance programs for the motorized trails, snowmobile, ATV, UTV trails," Darren said. Committee members confirmed the program distributes funds back to local clubs for trail maintenance; county staff said Adams County itself receives no direct share of that distribution.

The committee also considered a recommendation from the fair board to buy a portable stage rather than build a permanent structure. Bill Reynolds presented vendor literature and pricing: the recommended unit from Liberty Stage (Apex Liberty, Indiana) is sized 24 by 14 feet, listed at $47,295 delivered, includes stage lighting and a light mixing board but does not include sound equipment, and would require a 60% deposit before manufacture. "The total cost is $47,295 and that's delivered right to us at our fairgrounds," Reynolds said. Committee members noted the portable option was roughly $7,000 less than earlier permanent-stage estimates and that the unit can be moved to different parts of the grounds. The committee agreed staff may sell the old stage trailer on Wisconsin Surplus to recover funds.

Formal actions taken included a motion to approve the fairgrounds financials, a motion to adopt the motorized-trails resolution and a motion to authorize the fairgrounds stage purchase. All three motions were approved by voice vote. Committee members said the stage vendor indicated a build-and-deliver slot that would allow delivery before the fair if scheduling holds.

The committee did not set a precise delivery date in the meeting and directed staff to confirm final delivery timing and deposit schedule with the vendor. They also noted some future repairs at the fairgrounds will be paid from the capital budget but did not provide exact amounts beyond the $15,000 roof allocation.

The committee moved on after approving these actions; the stage order and the motorized-grant paperwork will be followed up by staff.