Rosebud County approves one‑year fair consulting contract and funds fairgrounds ramp repair

The Rosebud County Board of Commissioners approved a one‑year consulting contract for the 2026 county fair and authorized site work to replace a failing wooden ramp at the fairgrounds.

The board voted to approve the consulting contract on a motion by a committee member and a second by the chair; commissioners said they would assess cost‑effectiveness after one year. The contract was described in the meeting as a one‑year engagement for fiscal year 2026 for county fair consulting services.

During discussion of the fairgrounds project, a presenter summarized two bids to replace a deteriorating wooden ramp at the west end of the beer garden: a powder‑coated steel ramp and a concrete ramp that would include finishing work to improve drainage and eliminate a muddy area. “We really like to have the concrete because then we . . . feather that ramp out and make it a smooth transition and it would be aesthetically pleasing,” the presenter said, describing the concrete option as permanent and smoother for users. A staff member raised traction concerns about the steel option, saying a powder‑coated steel ramp could become slippery when dust and rain combine.

The quoted total for the concrete option was $5,800; commissioners discussed whether that amount exceeded the county’s capital‑improvement threshold (transcript discussion referenced $5,000) and whether the expense would come from EDA funds or another budget source. The chair said staff would identify an appropriate funding source if EDA funds were not already budgeted.

On a voice vote the board approved the demo/repair project and the consulting contract. The meeting record shows the board approved the actions; the transcript does not list individual commissioner vote names for these items.

The county will proceed with the selected fairgrounds repairs and will review the consulting contract after the one‑year period to determine if it is cost‑effective.