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Commissioners debate fairgrounds staffing as promoters seek operator support
Summary
County maintenance lead said current crews are handling fairgrounds upkeep and opposed hiring a third maintenance worker; commissioners noted some promoters lack operators and urged making the fairgrounds easier to rent while relying on rental agreements and insurance to address liability.
County maintenance staff told the Roosevelt County Commission that routine upkeep at the fairgrounds and the jail is underway and that the county does not need to hire a third maintenance worker, a decision that commissioners said could affect whether promoters continue to rent the county's event center.
Mr. Spinks, the county's maintenance representative, said crews have been cleaning fence lines and collecting leaves and that jail staff sometimes assist with grounds work. He said he does not receive overtime pay and does not think the county needs an additional full-time person for fairgrounds events. "I just don't see where ... we don't need a third person there during those events," he said.
A commissioner said event promoters, including the High Plains Rodeo, reported they sometimes lack an available operator to drive a tractor or maintain the arena during events, and that inability is a reason some promoters may stop using the facility. Commissioners said their priority is to keep the fairgrounds rented to boost local gross receipts tax revenue and suggested the county find ways to make on-site operations easier for renters.
Mr. Spinks said the county's rental agreement requires renters to carry liability insurance and to provide their own equipment and operators. "They have to have an insurance policy to cover that," he said. He estimated the rental agreement includes a substantial liability requirement for renters, and argued that private operators assuming responsibility and insurance reduces county exposure.
Commissioners discussed adjusting the rental agreement and organizational chart to clarify responsibilities and the role of any additional staff member previously approved by the commission. Chair Commissioner Parker said the commission had voted to add a third position on the organizational chart and noted the commission would follow that vote while balancing liability concerns and rental demand.
The commission did not authorize new hiring during the public discussion; commissioners and staff agreed to revisit rental-agreement language and operational options for weekend events.
