Committee reviews existing horse-stall contract after unauthorized animals appeared on fairgrounds

A staff member told the Richland County Fair Committee that a previously drafted contract from 2022 for horses on the fairgrounds exists and should be reviewed before adopting any new enforcement or fee rules.

"In our packet, I included the contract that I found for horses on the fairgrounds that I did not know was in existence until we had an issue arise about a month and a half, two months ago," the staff member said, describing a recent incident in which horses were brought to the grounds without paperwork.

The document the staff member located appears to include boarding language and rates (cited in the contract as $90 a month or $3 per day per stall) and spells out responsibilities such as feeding, watering, and cleaning. Members agreed the language merits committee review to clarify whether the contract applies to short-term stops (trail riders) or longer-term boarding, to ensure animal welfare, and to prevent unpermitted long-term stays.

Committee members recalled past problems when stalls were not properly cleaned and expressed reluctance to become a long-term boarding facility. The staff member said the contract includes enforcement language allowing the county to vacate occupants who do not produce paperwork or payment.

The committee requested the staff member circulate the contract text and suggested placing a contract review on a future agenda so the group can determine whether to formalize rates, include cleaning and manure-removal fees, and define exemptions for groups that perform cleaning duties in lieu of fees.