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North Idaho Fair projects stable finances for FY26, plans modest capital spending
Summary
At a Jan. 13 North Idaho Fair Board update, vice chair Elise Burton said the fair expects "a slight relief from capital investments" in 2026 after years of heavy spending, reported roughly eight months of reserves, and plans modest staffing and sponsorship adjustments to sustain operations.
Elise Burton, vice chair of the North Idaho Fair Board and head of its finance committee, told Kootenai County commissioners on Jan. 13 that the fair expects a fiscally quieter 2026 after several years of heavy capital work. "We are still experiencing a little bit of bumpiness moving our fiscal year," Burton said, noting the board faces timing challenges because the fair — the organization’s largest revenue and expense driver — falls near year end.
Burton reviewed the board’s revenue and expense trends and said the fair’s move to a 10‑day event in 2020–21 substantially increased receipts and helped the organization accumulate reserves. She said the fair now sits at about eight months of operating reserves, above the generally recommended three to six months, though some of those reserves have been used recently to support the new office building project.
On capital spending, Burton said the board has invested heavily in deferred maintenance — roof repairs, paving, electrical and other infrastructure — over the past five years and expects "a slight relief from capital investments" in 2026. She cited 2025 capital spending of about $243,000, a 2023 peak of roughly $411,000, and a 2026 capital budget of just over $200,000 for smaller projects.
Burton also described staffing and revenue strategies. The board plans modest staff growth to support succession planning and reduce duplication, and it is emphasizing sponsorships and community partnerships to bolster revenues. "We do hope to see [staff costs] come down as we continue to move into planned retirements," she said.
Burton characterized the fair’s budget policy as aiming for zero net income so surpluses are reinvested into the facility. She said performance is tracked with multi‑year KPIs and that the board believes the fair is self‑sustaining into the foreseeable future.
The board did not take any formal fiscal actions or votes at the meeting; commissioners asked few questions and expressed general support for the fair’s stewardship.
Next steps: the fair board will continue detailed FY26 planning and follow up with commissioners if further decisions or requests for county action are required.
