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Alleghany commissioners accept 25% revenue bid for fairgrounds concession after heated debate
Summary
After questions about fairness and local preference, the board accepted a sealed bid offering 25% of gross receipts for the county fairgrounds concession, rejecting an alternative flat-fee proposal.
Alleghany County commissioners voted to accept a concessionaire proposal that offered 25% of gross receipts for operation of the firegrounds/fairgrounds concession during events, following extended discussion about fairness, transparency and local preference.
County staff presented two sealed proposals: Mountain Top Concessions submitted a bid noted in the packet as $5,855, while another proposer (Legacy Hospitality and Entertainment Group) initially responded with a percentage offer and later provided a flat fee figure of $20,000 when staff followed up. Commissioners and members of the public debated whether it was fair to accept the later, nonsealed flat-fee figure or to rely on the originally sealed submissions.
Joy, who said she has operated the concession trailer since 2011 and hires local residents, urged the board to keep the contract local. "I was hoping you guys would really consider me for the concession again this year because I have run it for 2 years," she said, noting she employs six to eight county residents and runs a local donation center that has sheltered families since September.
Several commissioners raised procedural concerns. One commissioner said, "If we're trying to be fair to all parties involved, I would try to just support a reboot," arguing for rebidding to preserve fairness between bidders. Another commissioner argued the fairest approach was to accept the original sealed bids and choose between them because both were initially sealed at the same time.
After debate, a motion to accept the 25% of gross receipts offer from the out-of-county proposer was made and seconded. The board voted 4-1 in favor of accepting the 25% revenue-share proposal.
Why it matters: The concession generates local income, hires county residents and affects vendors who depend on fairgrounds events for revenue. Public commenters urged the board to prioritize local operators and noted the administrative burden and financial risk small operators face when contracts are rebid or restructured.
Details: Mountain Top Concessions’ sealed bid was recorded as $5,855. The opposing proposal initially specified a percentage (25%) but staff later solicited and received a flat-fee figure ($20,000) to clarify terms; commissioners ultimately accepted the percentage bid. Commissioners discussed options including accepting original sealed bids, rebidding, or accepting a negotiated flat fee. The board chose the original-structure percentage bid.
Speakers quoted in this article include the concession operator who spoke during public comment and county staff who presented the bid materials.
