Sheridan County Commission interviews candidates for Fair Association Board, plans to stagger terms to meet state statute

The Sheridan County Commission held a special meeting to interview applicants for four openings on the Sheridan County Fair Association Board, pressing candidates on attendance records and plans to align board terms with a state statute that requires five‑year appointments.

Several candidates described long ties to local agriculture and fairground activities. Patrick Hayward said he grew up on ranches and received a Sheridan College rodeo scholarship; he told commissioners he would be “honored to serve on the fair board” and raised concerns about parking and the functionality of an on‑site pond and long‑term facility planning. Jason Kolbisca, a two‑term incumbent, said he seeks reappointment to finish ongoing projects and “see some of our projects…to fruition,” including an indoor expansion and electrical upgrades to support both 4‑H activities and broader community use. John Graves, who runs a bison ranch and serves as president of the Rocky Mountain Bison Association, emphasized youth education and better outreach to attract residents who may not regularly follow 4‑H/FFA channels.

Incumbent Jennifer Hartman, seeking a third term, acknowledged a 63% attendance rate during her last term and told the commission she had “been dealing with quite a bit of illness this year” after a diagnosis of Addison’s disease and travel to settle her father’s estate in Colorado. Commissioners asked all renewing candidates about attendance; the panel noted higher attendance rates for other applicants (Jason Kolbisca with about 83% and Jeremy Kissling at about 80% in prior terms) and said attendance is a factor in reappointment decisions.

Multiple speakers flagged a governance discrepancy: the board’s bylaws have reflected three‑year terms but, as one liaison told candidates, “state statute says it’s a 5 year term.” Commissioners said they plan to stagger new appointments — assigning some members three, four and five‑year initial terms — so not all seats expire simultaneously while the county returns to five‑year terms required by statute. Several candidates said they had no objection to staggered terms and some favored five‑year appointments to provide continuity for multi‑year facility projects.

Candidates also described priorities for the fairgrounds. Liz Kinkade (joining by phone) cited long experience with local rodeos, 4‑H and Sheridan College livestock programs and supported a multipurpose facility to host sports, conventions and indoor events that could generate more year‑round revenue. Several applicants called for improved electrical capacity and better space for livestock and youth programs; Kissling, the current board chair, emphasized the board’s mission to support 4‑H/FFA while diversifying fairgrounds use for the public benefit.

The commission completed the interview portion of the meeting and did not make appointments during the session. Next steps were not specified in the transcript; commissioners indicated they will proceed with staggered term assignments to comply with statute and to maintain continuity for planned fairgrounds projects.