A representative (Speaker 5) asked the commission for permission and potential financial sponsorship for a Department of Tourism 'tourist attraction' grant to expand a local painted‑rhino public‑art trail and add signage on county land.

"The medium sized rhinos are regularly priced at $300 a rhino. The grant would take that price down to $200 a piece," the applicant said (Speaker 5). She said larger rhinos normally cost about $650 and would be $400 with grant support; freestanding sign kiosks with sliding plexiglass doors would cost about $1,000 each.

Commissioners discussed appropriate locations (county lake, courthouse lawn, Emergency Services building, sheriff's office) and equity among communities. Some commissioners expressed concern about placing permanent kiosks that require upkeep, and one suggested using a QR code on an existing statue base instead of a freestanding kiosk to reduce vandalism and maintenance.

Commissioner S2 moved to allow rhino statues only to be placed on county properties pending staff approval of specific placements and with notice to city clerks; S3's motion included a staff assignment to review placement at the county lake. The motion passed. Commissioners emphasized that placements should be open to other communities and that staff should ensure sufficient space and appropriate siting.

Next steps: staff to review and recommend specific locations, notify municipal clerks about the opportunity, and return if financial sponsorship or sign kiosks are requested.