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Commission discusses selling naming rights for Expo Center, suggests keeping revenue dedicated to facility
Summary
County staff presented draft naming-rights levels for the Expo Center; commissioners supported pursuing donations, recommended that proceeds go to the Expo CIP (not the general fund), and suggested using negotiation and outside marketing assistance rather than fixed take-it-or-leave-it pricing.
County staff returned with a draft brochure proposing naming-rights packages and price levels for the Saline County Expo Center and its component buildings. Commissioners discussed the concept, noting the city's previous sale of naming rights for the Tony's Pizza Event Center as a local model.
Discussion points included whether proceeds should be deposited into the county general fund or retained in an Expo capital-improvement fund. Staff recommended that donated funds be placed into the Expo CIP to remain dedicated to the facility but said terms could be tweaked if a donor requested specific project uses (for example, a kitchen renovation in the 4-H building). Commissioners emphasized negotiation flexibility (allowing a top-level naming-rights package to be offered on a case-by-case basis) and suggested outsourcing or using volunteer assistance and community foundations to identify and approach prospective donors.
Commissioners asked who would market and sell naming packages; staff said county staff and a few community contacts had begun initial conversations but that a marketing professional or community volunteers could be engaged for large packages. Staff will refine the brochure and return with more detail.
What happens next: Staff will revise materials and provide a follow-up briefing with refined pricing, marketing plan and recommended fund-management approach.
