Polk County holds public hearing on advisory levy question for Fairgrounds; decision set for Feb. 25

Polk County held a public hearing Feb. 11 to consider placing an advisory question on the May ballot asking whether voters would support a local option operating levy for the Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center.

Greg Hansen, who introduced the proposal to the board, said the fairgrounds "is, fiscally losing money year after year after year" and has required general fund or grant support. He told the board the county has "over the last five years, spent approximately $1.617 million" on building maintenance and repairs and said the general fund cannot sustain those costs going forward. Hansen emphasized the advisory question itself "is not a levy" but a way to measure public support before any formal November levy proposal.

Speakers at the hearing were overwhelmingly supportive. Deb Pavelson, who manages the Oak Flea Market, said she had "never seen anything but great stewardship of the money" under current fairgrounds staff and read a written plea from a vendor, Merlee Laughlin, describing multi-generational ties to the flea market.

"There's nowhere that compares to all the benefits of being a part of the Polk County flea market," the letter read, describing economic and social ties that vendors say will be lost if the facility closes.

Several vendors and community members urged transparency about how any future levy revenue would be spent. Crystal Firestone told the board she supported asking the question but said she would like the public notice to include "estimates of how much money that would draw in over those 5 years." Greg Hansen clarified that each penny of levy would raise about $85,000 and gave an example: a 10¢ levy would generate roughly $850,000 and would add about $30 a year to the tax bill of a household with a $300,000 assessed value.

Other comments highlighted the fairgrounds' year-round economic impact. Candy Carey, who has sold at the flea market for more than a decade, said the events bring customers and revenue to Polk County businesses. David Collins, a vendor, estimated roughly 100 people could lose a business or job if the fairgrounds closed. Several speakers emphasized youth programs such as 4-H and FFA, saying the site provides critical opportunities for leadership and career skills.

Some residents urged caution about timing and voter understanding. Kelly Tynan and others warned that asking an advisory question in May could confuse voters who might treat a "yes" as a final decision; they recommended a longer education campaign and preferred a November ballot measure. Diana suggested gathering petition signatures as a lower-cost route to build awareness.

The board did not take a final vote during the morning session. Chair recessed the hearing until 6 p.m. the same day to continue public comment and noted the board must adopt a resolution by Feb. 25 if it chooses to place the advisory question on the May ballot so staff can file with the clerk by Feb. 27. Staff also cautioned that ballot titles are constrained (a 175-word limit for the summary) and that the advisory question text must focus on the question itself; any specific levy rate and revenue exhibits would be provided only if the board later moves forward with a formal November levy.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved the agenda and minutes from Feb. 4, 2026, by unanimous voice vote.

What happens next: the public hearing continues tonight at 6 p.m.; the county has until Feb. 25 to adopt a resolution if it wants to place a May advisory question on the ballot. No formal levy or rate was adopted at the hearing.