Commissioners ask Fair Board to review sheep-sale lease after fee dispute; approve Road & Bridge hire and training

WOODSON COUNTY — The Woodson County Board of Commissioners on March 3 approved personnel and program actions and asked the Fair Board to review an adjusted lease agreement with the Sheep Sale after fair representatives questioned a proposed fee.

Commissioner Bret Heim presented the adjusted lease agreement between the Sheep Sale and the Fair Board. Phillip Collins, president of the Fair Board, discussed the agreement and said each party would need to agree before signing. Participant Tina Tracy questioned why the county intends to charge a fee; commissioners said the fee would help cover maintenance expenses, while Tracy said the sheep auction has in recent years covered maintenance costs and pays its own utilities. The board asked the Fair Board to review the agreement and return with suggestions.

In related business, Treasurer Michelle Zimmerman reported she has spoken with several people about the county website’s Americans with Disabilities Act compliance; CIC, the website host, is working on the necessary updates.

Road & Bridge items moved through the meeting with unanimous approval. Gary Ward presented a wage sheet to hire Carla Green for the Road & Bridge office clerk regular part-time position; Commissioner Justin Clark moved to sign the wage sheet and Commissioner Kevin Stuber seconded. The board also approved payment of $1,550 for motor-grader training for Road & Bridge employee Shane Schauf; Justin Clark moved and Kevin Stuber seconded both motions.

The board approved a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan application presented by Treasurer Michelle Zimmerman for Emmanuel M. Schwartz to build a barn at 832 120th Rd. Commissioner Kevin Stuber moved to approve the application; Justin Clark seconded and the motion passed.

Other routine reports included Solid Waste superintendent David Waddell saying a backhoe will be delivered that day, Rural Fire’s Nick Barney reporting he is working on truck maintenance, and Emergency Management’s John Atkin saying he is having nonworking sirens inspected. Fair Board representatives said they plan updates and repairs to the fairgrounds, including work on the Bressner Building, and requested use of the county pressure washer before painting.

The board recessed twice into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel performance; in each case the motion specified attendees and an expected return time but did not disclose the session content. The meeting closed with approval of vouchers totaling $95,284.96 and adjournment at 10:56 a.m.

Votes at a glance: approve agenda (mover: Kevin Stuber; second: Justin Clark; outcome: approved); approve minutes from Feb. 24, 2026 (mover: Justin Clark; second: Kevin Stuber; outcome: approved); add NRP procedure form to application (mover: Kevin Stuber; second: Justin Clark; outcome: approved); recess into executive session to 9:20 a.m. for non-elected personnel (mover: Justin Clark; second: Kevin Stuber; outcome: approved); sign wage sheet for Carla Green (mover: Justin Clark; second: Kevin Stuber; outcome: approved); approve $1,550 motor-grader training fee for Shane Schauf (mover: Justin Clark; second: Kevin Stuber; outcome: approved); approve NRP application for Emmanuel M. Schwartz, 832 120th Rd (mover: Kevin Stuber; second: Justin Clark; outcome: approved); recess into executive session to 10:35 a.m. for non-elected personnel (mover: Justin Clark; second: Kevin Stuber; outcome: approved); sign vouchers $95,284.96 (mover: Justin Clark; second: Kevin Stuber; outcome: approved); adjourn (mover: Kevin Stuber; second: Justin Clark; outcome: approved).

What’s next: The board requested the Fair Board return with suggested revisions to the lease agreement. The commissioners will continue routine departmental oversight and follow up on ADA updates to the county website handled by CIC.