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Jackson staff outlines fairgrounds lease and rodeo deals as council opens public review
Summary
Town staff presented three linked documents governing the Teton County Fairgrounds — a long-term lease with Teton County, a management agreement that pays the county to administer the grounds, and a concession contract with WW Productions — and took public comment on the Wilson family'run rodeo operation.
Town of Jackson staff on Nov. 17 presented background on three interlocking agreements that govern the town-owned fairgrounds, prompting public comment and questions about revenue, maintenance and future contracting options. The presentation was informational; staff said the council would consider any changes after negotiations with Teton County.
The package includes a long-term lease between the Town of Jackson and Teton County, a Rodeo Grounds Management Agreement with the county and a Rodeo Concession Agreement with WW Productions, LLC (the Wilson family). Staff said the lease pays the town $100 per year and was extended to expire Dec. 31, 2030. Under the management agreement, the town pays Teton County about $80,000 per year to administer the grounds.
"The purpose is to provide a long term lease to secure the property," staff said, noting the agreements were designed to perpetuate western activities and allow the county to manage the grounds while the town retains approval for alterations. The management agreement sets administration duties and a committee to recommend a concessionaire should the town choose to put the concession out to bid.
WW Productions' representatives described their multi-decade role running rodeos and said growth in ticket revenues stems from a combination of community advertising, expanded capacity and post-pandemic demand. "When we started this agreement ... we wanted communication, cooperation, and community," Bill Wilson told the council, adding the rodeo has become a community effort and that the Wilson family has invested in infrastructure and charity events tied to the rodeo.
Staff said concession terms require the concessionaire to pay the town either $50,000 per year or 10% of gross receipts, whichever is greater. Presentation materials provided ticket-price comparisons showing covered general admission rose from $33 in 2020 to $55 in 2025; staff reported a 2025-season gross figure that produced a 10% payment figure summarized in the presentation materials.
Councilors pressed staff about repair and replacement responsibilities. Staff said Teton County, as long-term lessee and administrator, is typically responsible for routine maintenance and may submit itemized vouchers for reimbursement for larger repairs; staff noted they have not routinely received detailed cost vouchers from the county.
Public commenters, including longtime rodeo supporters and representatives of local user groups, urged the council to maintain the relationship with the Wilsons and to consider improvements to other fairgrounds uses such as the tennis courts. Staff reiterated next steps would be negotiating with county staff, producing draft documents and returning to the council and commission for joint presentations and formal consideration.
The presentation was given for public comment and information; staff did not request direction at the Nov. 17 meeting and said any formal changes would be brought back for council action after further coordination with Teton County.
