Sherman County commissioners voted to allow commercial and contractor-style campers to park at the county fairgrounds and set a usage fee of $25 per day or $750 per month, with the county to trench in water service and add hydrants to support hookups.

The action responds to demand from pipeline, construction and wind-project crews who will be in the area for months and could provide a near-term economic boost to local businesses, county staff and fairgrounds representatives told commissioners.

Commissioners and staff discussed the number and layout of electrical hookups at the fairgrounds: county staff said the north end could be fitted with up to 30 electrical plug-ins across five poles, but commissioners raised spacing and safety concerns and discussed limiting the number of active spaces to roughly two dozen to preserve maneuvering room for larger rigs and slide-outs.

County staff also told commissioners that trenching a separate water service and meter will likely be required because the fairgrounds’ main line is near capacity; commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the city and utilities on a plan and a fee schedule for ongoing maintenance, snow removal and wear-and-tear. Commissioners agreed to pursue a fee schedule for campers and to advertise availability once basic infrastructure is in place.

The meeting also covered longer-term fairgrounds capital projects. A coalition of volunteers and historical preservation partners described plans for a 2027 centennial celebration of the pavilion and sought a long-term capital plan to repair windows and other historic fabric. Commissioners asked the volunteer committee to prioritize needs, identify potential grants (including historic-preservation funds), and return with a budget and timeline.

Separately, carnival organizers and other fair stakeholders presented a proposal to replace a large rented tent with a permanent, open-faced steel shelter (roughly 40-by-100 to 50-by-100 feet in initial estimates) with a concrete floor; commissioners agreed in principle and approved a motion to let the group pursue grants and fundraising and to return with formal plans and any request for county support.

Commissioners emphasized that any grant applications or construction on county land would require formal approval and a letter of support from the county when such requests are submitted.

Speakers at the discussion included residents and fair committee members who described demand and logistics, and representatives from the Kansas historical fundraising arm who explained grant conditions and review processes.

Commissioners asked staff to return with draft permit terms, a written fee schedule and estimated costs for water trenching before listing sites as available to campers. The county will also explore options for sewer disposal (including third-party pumping services and portable septic solutions) instead of running new sewer mains, which several participants said could create long-term operational issues.