Commissioners waive two fairgrounds fees after Olive Motherhood plea

During public comment at the Williams County Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 21, 2026, Jossi Rice, president and founder of the Olive Motherhood Foundation, asked the board to reconsider a denial of a fee waiver for a weekend "murder mystery" fundraiser and food drive, saying the late denial left the nonprofit unable to budget for the event’s largest expense and would reduce funds available to feed local families.

The foundation, a 501(c)(3) founded in 2022, told commissioners it coordinates with local businesses and purchases perishable food items the morning of its drive to assemble complete meals; Rice said the group helped more than 80 families in its second year and expected higher need this year.

Commissioners acknowledged the county’s recent transition to operating the fairgrounds, discussed the established fee schedule and a waiver review process that is handled through the finance committee, and said staff processing of the request arrived late because the board meets twice monthly. Several commissioners said the county must be fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds and that future waivers and fee structures should be reviewed to distinguish private events (weddings) from nonprofit activity.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to waive the fees for the Olive Motherhood Foundation and for a separate request from the Iron Brotherhood, and to direct staff to review fairgrounds agreements and the waiver policy and report back. A second was given. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

The board asked the foundation to update its social media to reflect the waiver. Commissioners also directed staff to review existing agreements the county inherited with the fairgrounds and to return with recommendations on whether the fee schedule or application processes should be adjusted for nonprofits and other users.

The meeting moved on after the vote; commissioners wished the organization luck with its event.