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Ellis County commission backs fairgrounds improvements, sets new rodeo rental rates and approves repair POs
Summary
The commission agreed to move forward on a shaded lean-to, drainage fixes and a revised rental fee structure for the Ellis County Fairgrounds; it approved POs for wind and hail repairs and authorized a purchasing card for the fair board president.
Justin Chek, the new fair board president, presented a package of Fairgrounds requests and updates to the Ellis County Commission, including a proposed 64-by-20-foot shaded lean-to to create seating and a new stage, drainage and culvert work to relieve the fairgrounds' east-side flooding, and changes to rodeo rental fees to cover rising fuel and maintenance costs.
Chek said volunteers will do much of the construction work and estimated the materials for the lean-to at about $10,850 (door into the building not included). He proposed compacted millings as a cost-saving base. Public works staff (Brandon) said the county has culverts in inventory but would need to confirm appropriate sizes on site before work begins.
The commissioners discussed options to recoup fuel and maintenance costs associated with preparing the rodeo arena. The current rental rates (4 hours $50; full day $100; sound system $30) date to 2021. Commissioners indicated a preference to increase the standard rental to $100 for a half day and $200 for a full day and to fold sound-system and tower fees into that lump sum; they asked staff to bring a revised contract and asked Justin to provide an estimate of volunteer hours for large events (for the commission—s future evaluation of rates and shared costs).
Justin also proposed portable restroom trailers or a shared county portable restroom that could be used across county sites; commissioners said staff should bring cost estimates for consideration.
The commission agreed to issue a county purchasing card to the fair board president under the county purchasing policy so that small, routine purchases can be made without repeated reimbursements; the county clerk would control card limits and could turn the card off if receipts were not submitted.
Separately, staff presented insurance and contractor bids for hail- and wind-related repairs at the fairgrounds and RPM Speedway concession buildings. Roof Masters offered to donate certain materials; Victoria Lumber submitted the low bid for the 4-H concession stand. To avoid delays in ordering materials, the commission approved purchase orders (POs 7839 and 7840) to contract with Roof Masters and Victoria Lumber; staff said some labor could be provided by fair volunteers and that material/labor breakdowns may be adjusted and returned to the commission.
Commissioners thanked fair board volunteers and encouraged coordination between fair board and public works to schedule drainage and maintenance work.
