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McCone County commissioners discuss fairgrounds building bids, hold off on full commitment pending funding details
Summary
Commissioners reviewed contractor bids for a new fairgrounds building and agreed to consider building the shell with available funds while staff confirms insurance proceeds and exact treasury balances before signing any construction contract.
On March 9, 2026, the McCone County Board of Commissioners reviewed bids for a proposed new fairgrounds building and agreed not to sign a full construction contract until county staff could confirm available funds.
The clerk read bids from local builders and told the board it would "consider building the shell of the building with available funds and determine how to fund the completion of the building." Commissioners emphasized the need for a precise accounting of county funds and potential insurance proceeds before committing county money. One commissioner said they wanted "a hard number" from the treasurer and suggested contacting the county's insurance adjuster about proceeds from moved Quonset buildings before approving work that would commit the county to additional expense.
The clerk also read an email from Wayne Sowers indicating an engineer would finalize an inspection report soon and that the preliminary inspection "did not find damage to the concrete of the kitchen building that would warrant replacement," though updated estimates were forthcoming. Commissioners discussed that some items — for example an insulation option estimated at roughly $104,000 — could be deferred to later phases to reduce immediate costs.
Board members and staff noted prior payments related to moving buildings and removal work; one commissioner said the county had already paid contractors for moving structures and that additional costs for removing remaining concrete were still being determined. Commissioners instructed staff to contact the treasurer and insurance contacts, gather the final engineering estimates, and return with a clear funding picture before approving a contract. No formal contract was executed at the meeting and the board did not take a final vote to approve the full project scope.
The board’s approach was to possibly proceed in phases — building the shell first with funds on hand and deferring other elements until funding is secured. Commissioners said they will reconvene on the item and expect further updates when the treasurer and engineer provide concrete figures.
