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Commission authorizes county attorney letter and small legal consult for fairgrounds volunteer/contract questions
Summary
The commission agreed to send a letter of support to the Mallow (fairgrounds) board and to use a Local Government Liability Pool pilot consult (up to $300) to get specialized employment-law advice about volunteers, contractors and use of county equipment.
The Weston County commission authorized the county attorney to draft and send a letter of support to the Mallow (fairgrounds) board and approved participation in a Local Government Liability Pool (LGLP) pilot program that covers up to a $300 consult with an employment-law specialist.
The action followed a lengthy discussion about whether a resident who performs facility work should be classified and covered as a volunteer, a contractor or a county employee and whether volunteers may use county equipment. County staff summarized LGLP guidance: volunteers can be covered under the pools liability umbrella, but paid contractors and employees are treated differently and may not be eligible to use county equipment unless insured or contracted to do so.
Commissioners also discussed a $5,000 line item that previously funded temporary help and noted the Mallow boards interest in using a combination of volunteers and contracted services to run the facility. Commissioners approved a motion directing the county attorney to write a letter of support to the Mallow board, invite the fair board to a follow-up meeting, and pursue a one-time LGLP-funded consult to clarify legal options for volunteer coverage and contractor arrangements.
Why it matters: The decision affects how the fairgrounds are staffed and how county-owned equipment may be used by volunteers or contractors. Legal clarity can determine insurance exposure, whether an individual may be paid by the fairgrounds, and the conditions under which county equipment is operated.
What happens next: The county attorney will draft the letter and pursue the LGLP consult; staff said LGLP will reimburse up to $300 for a one-time consult with a lawyer experienced in employment law. Commissioners also suggested scheduling a joint session with the fair board to discuss staffing options and budget implications.
