Fair board votes to restructure judges’ pay: flat fees for non‑animal judges and animal judge rates retained

The board debated how to pay judges who evaluate projects at the fair, reviewing last year’s totals and different payment methods. Speaker 1 summarized prior payments and totals, and multiple board members argued for simplifying payments to ensure judges receive a check when they finish judging.

Arguments: some members said a flat $150 per non‑animal judge makes paperwork and distribution simpler and ensures participants get paid on site; others said tiered payments recognize longer animal‑judging duties and that some judges travel farther and deserve mileage. “I was gonna propose that we increase it to $15 at the minimum,” Speaker 1 said, noting a state association survey and local benchmarks.

Motion and vote: A motion was made and seconded to pay non‑animal/commercial judges a flat $150 (no mileage or meal tickets) and to keep animal judges on the animal rate (previously $2.50 for animal judging), with the non‑animal flat rate to start in 2026 and the animal‑judge structure to start in 2027 as discussed in the meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with at least one member recorded as opposed during the roll call.

Implementation details: Board members asked staff to organize payment methods (checks or possibly gift cards subject to purchasing thresholds) and to prepare judge sign‑in sheets so judges can receive payment immediately. The board also discussed preserving some higher pay for judges who cover extensive animal classes and agreed staff should prepare the fiscal impact for the next budgeting cycle.

Next steps: staff will update fair materials and judge contracts to reflect the flat payment for non‑animal judges beginning in 2026, preserve animal-judge rates starting in 2027, and return with budget impact figures and proposed payment logistics.