Harney County Court allocates $500,000 in ARPA funds to fair event center, directs remainder to landfill permitting and courthouse security

Harney County Court voted Dec. 3 to commit $500,000 of its remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) balance to the Harney County Fair Event Center and to allocate the remaining $38,212 toward rural landfill permitting and courthouse security improvements.

The county administrator opened the discussion saying the county’s ARPA cash balance stood at $538,212 and outlined several competing uses, including landfill permitting, a law enforcement vehicle, a home health/hospice vehicle, a $50,000 contribution to a Veterans Village project, courthouse security work and the event center match. He said he had contacted the National Association of Counties for guidance on allowable uses and described two options: spend within ARPA-authorized categories or elect the standard allowance for revenue loss.

The decision followed more than two hours of public comment and presentations from stakeholders. Fair manager Lindsay Robertson told the court that consultants with Wilson Consulting had identified matching opportunities through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and said a 50% local match would improve eligibility for grants “up to $5,000,000.” Robertson said the fairgrounds project is “shovel ready” and argued a match would increase the county’s chances of winning larger federal awards.

Community advocates emphasized the fair’s economic reach and youth impact. Richard Bates, identified as a youth livestock leader, told the court the fair supports large youth participation and auction receipts that return dollars to the community and urged spending on buildings at the fairgrounds: “You need to choose a project that has the largest impact on the most number of people,” Bates said. Craig Nair, who identified himself as a chair and local business owner, framed the allocation as leverage: “If you can turn $500,000 into $1,500,000,” he said, “that’s good math.”

Several public commenters urged splitting the funds to also advance the proposed Harney Hub Veterans Village, while others stressed continuing needs such as predator-control funding and library support. Commissioners expressed caution about capital projects and federal eligibility. One commissioner said the county must verify ARPA guidance before obligating funds, noting that a formal contract is required to obligate ARPA dollars.

After discussion the court adopted a motion to allocate $500,000 to the Harney County Fair Event Center and the remaining $38,212 to a package of needs that the administrator described as rural landfill permitting and courthouse back-door security improvements. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote; one commissioner recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance - Motion to allocate ARPA funds as described (500,000 to Event Center; 38,212 to landfill permitting and courthouse security): Motion made and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote with one recorded opposed. - Resolution 2024-33 (appropriating revenue and expense lines to record in-kind donations from the Harney County Library Foundation and increasing revenue and materials/supplies by $2,000): adopted (motion carried by voice vote). - Quick claim deed from Snow Mountain Pine to Harney County: motion to table for additional information (acreage, environmental status, county assessor input); motion carried. - Agenda and minutes approvals: routine motions carried.

What happens next County staff said they will continue to seek formal written guidance from the National Association of Counties and other technical advisors to confirm ARPA eligibility for the event-center match and related capital expenditures. The administrator noted that ARPA obligations require formal contract action and that staff will pursue the required contracting steps before funds are obligated or expended.

Context The decision invests a one-time federal recovery windfall into a locally prioritized capital project that county leaders and local stakeholders say could leverage additional federal grants and increase recurring event revenue. Opponents and some commissioners urged caution, noting the limits on ARPA uses and advocating for either a split of funds or other urgent county needs to be addressed.