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Fremont County hears Fair Board plans; motion to allow auction sale of Annex items fails 2–2
Summary
Interim Fair Manager and Fair Board chairman outlined the 2026 fair theme and events and requested permission to auction Annex items and sell a donated Vet House. Commissioners split 2–2 on the auction request and tabled the Vet House sale pending Chairman Allen’s presence.
Interim Fair Manager Laura Harrington and Fair Board Chairman Trevor Bekken told the Fremont County Commissioners on April 21 that the 2026 fair theme will be “Stars, Stripes, and Fremont County Nights,” and outlined nightly events including a powwow, rodeo, figure‑8 races and monster‑truck events.
Harrington said the Annex is being used for clinics, horse shows and bull judging; the Fair Board has applied for a grant to fund improvements such as a cattle chute, bleachers, sound system and livestock pens. The board requested about $5,000 to repair a wind‑damaged main entrance sign, and discussed replacing it with an LED sign that could generate revenue; commissioners asked for formal estimates before making a funding decision.
The Fair Board asked permission to sell miscellaneous Annex items (hay racks, lean‑tos, bucking chutes) via public auction. Commissioner Clarence Thomas moved to permit the sale and Michael Jones seconded; Thomas and Jones voted aye, Ron Fabrizius and Jennifer Wilson voted nay, and without a tie‑breaking vote the motion failed. Treasurer Jim Anderson advised that because the Annex was purchased with ARPA funds, federal grant rules could affect sale proceeds (noting a $10,000 threshold above which proceeds may need to be repaid unless a service‑life condition is met). The Fair Board also requested permission to sell the donated Vet House; commissioners agreed to table that request until Chairman Allen is present.
No formal funding for the sign repair or auction sale was approved; the Fair Board was instructed to return with formal estimates and clarifications on federal‑funding constraints.
