Walla Walla County commissioners approve interim fairgrounds manager, extend operations manager through September

Walla Walla County — The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners voted May 19 to create an interim fairgrounds manager position and to extend the county’s temporary operations manager through Sept. 30, 2026, motions the board said are intended to ensure staffing coverage for upcoming fair events.

The board chair, who has been acting as interim fairgrounds manager, told commissioners, “I’ve been the interim fairgrounds manager for the past 9 months,” and said the county needs someone on-site full time during the busy summer schedule. Commissioner Clayton said recruiting a permanent manager had not proceeded as expected and urged a short-term hire to bridge the gap.

The two commissioners present approved three related actions by voice vote: adoption of the interim position and extension (motion passed 2 to 0), approval of the new position approval form for an interim fairgrounds manager (motion passed 2 to 0), and a hiring-freeze exception request to allow the hire (motion passed 2 to 0). Commissioner Clayton moved each motion and the chair seconded.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the changes are intended to provide continuity during peak fair preparations and events. The chair cited limited personal time to manage fairgrounds operations alongside commissioner duties, and both commissioners noted budgetary savings from the vacant manager position that make a short-term paid appointment feasible.

Details and next steps: The chair said the county will continue accepting applications for the permanent fairgrounds manager position but plans to recruit separately for this interim role and to resume interviews for the permanent position after the fair. The board discussed keeping the interim posting open only briefly — roughly one week — with the goal of filling the interim role before weekend events. Recorder Diane said she would work with human resources to post the interim position immediately and coordinate a closing time targeted for Tuesday morning following the holiday.

Budget context: Commissioners noted roughly five months of vacancy savings from not paying a permanent manager and reduced staff hours earlier in the year, and indicated those savings support funding a short-term interim appointment through September. Jerry Ramsey, identified in the discussion as the temporary operations manager, was praised for longstanding service and continuity of operations.

What the board approved - Create an interim fairgrounds manager position and extend the temporary operations manager through Sept. 30, 2026 (motion moved by Commissioner Clayton; seconded by the chair; passed 2–0). - Approve the new position approval form for the interim fairgrounds manager (moved by Commissioner Clayton; seconded by the chair; passed 2–0). - Approve a hiring-freeze exception request to allow hiring for the interim fairgrounds manager (moved by Commissioner Clayton; seconded by the chair; passed 2–0).

The board plans to brief the fair board that evening and expected to post the interim position immediately. The meeting adjourned following the votes.