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Expo center, noxious-weed and farm operations report maintenance work, staff training and scholarship timeline
Summary
The expo center reported facility maintenance and small cost-saving fabrication projects; the noxious-weed division completed fall right-of-way spraying and certified applicators; the Oliver Hagg scholarship solicitation remains open through March 7; budget-use figures were presented for expo and weed operations.
David Flaherty, representing the county27s expo, noxious-weed and farm operations, updated commissioners on recent maintenance, staffing and training work and on near-term plans.
Expo center work included new ceiling tiles and painting in the show office, donated sponsorship TVs installed in Ag Hall (pending IT hookup), door installation for a Barn 2 restroom, snow clearing at the health department and fabrication trials for manure boxes and a prototype horse panel intended to save costs compared with purchasing. Staff reported early success with in-house builds and estimated material and labor savings for future panels.
Noxious-weed staff completed fall right-of-way spraying, winterized equipment and trained applicators; the weed supervisor and applicator completed basic training and are certified. Staff reported acquiring a new sprayer skid for the weed truck and that training on a new weeds-management software is under way. The weed supervisor plans to pursue a commercial remote pilot license to support drone inspections.
Farm office work included sending Oliver Hagg scholarship forms; applications are due March 7 with awards to follow. Flaherty presented budget-use percentages: expo 6.0825 used, noxious weed 4.6225 used, and noxious-weed capital outlay $1.57 (dollars and cents provided in packet) excluding the new pickup price, which had not yet been charged.
Commissioners praised in-house cost-saving efforts and toured facilities prior to the meeting. The board asked about puddling at event lots; staff said improvements reduced but did not eliminate pooling given event types and weather.
No action was required; item presented for informational purposes.
