Public Works staff presented progress photos and construction updates on the new fairgrounds ball‑field complex and described steps taken to move dirt, install irrigation and set up a 100,000‑gallon tank for non‑potable irrigation.

"That's the phase 1, the ball field that they just planted grass on right there," Public Works Road Manager David Manoush said, walking supervisors through recent photos of grading, seeding and irrigation work.

County Engineer Reed Larson told the board he experienced "sticker shock" after opening bids for permanent field lighting, saying the proposals were substantially higher than staff anticipated. He described multiple options: select a bidder and proceed; reject all bids and re‑scope; contract for a single field through a purchasing cooperative to speed work; or rent temporary light plants for the season. Larson said a TechLine quote for a single field was roughly in the mid‑$200,000 range, while full proposals for the whole complex were higher.

Board members raised community and budget considerations, including Little League signups that supervisors estimated at about 150–200 youth this season. Several supervisors favored temporary lighting to ensure play begins on schedule while staff refines bid scopes and seeks grant or cooperative contract options.

A supervisor moved to table awarding the permanent lighting contract so staff could gather more information and return with recommendations; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff was directed to research temporary lighting rentals (staff estimated a seasonal rental might cost about $12,000–$15,000), clarify bid scopes and consider a dual solicitation (one price for the entire project and an alternate price for a single field with stub‑outs for future expansion).

The presentation also highlighted cost savings from in‑house work: staff said relocating county equipment (a D8 dozer) and using internal crews had saved an estimated $100,000 compared with fully contracting out the earthwork.

Next steps: staff will return with clarified bid documents, cost comparisons (including temporary lighting estimates), and recommendations for whether to re‑solicit, award a limited scope, or proceed through cooperative purchasing.