Gilliam County approves fairgrounds office construction contract, fencing and capital grants

Gilliam County Court awarded the Fairgrounds office construction contract and approved related capital spending at its March 18 meeting.

The court evaluated four bids and approved a low bid award to Kirby Nagle Construction for the fairgrounds office project (the motion referenced an amount in the $650,000 range; transcript contained closely similar figures). The court also authorized the county judge to sign the contract contingent on the completion of final contract negotiations and inclusion of agreed contingencies.

Separately, the court approved a Mobley Fencing bid for roughly $9,037.50 to install about 200 feet of black chain-link fence to match the event center perimeter.

On competitive grant rounds, staff presented their capital-investment recommendations and the court approved awards for three applicants: City of Condon ($44,453), Summit Springs Village ($32,000) and Arlington School District ($38,850). The combined amount stated during the motion was approximately $115,000 (the transcript contains minor numeric transcription inconsistencies). The court's grant staff said the capital-investment round was the final competitive round for the fiscal year and noted a remaining balance in the competitive grant line prior to these awards.

Court members also discussed state lottery changes that could increase fair funding in the 2027 biennium and asked staff to track how that would affect local fair programming and capital projects.

The motions to award and to authorize the judge to execute the contract carried by recorded aye votes of the members present.