Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Assets topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee explores fairgrounds, camping and airport share as options to boost non-tax revenue
Summary
Richland County members reviewed county land assets and the Tri‑County Airport budget (county share roughly $32,562), and discussed using fairgrounds and other properties for campsites or contracted management to increase revenue while noting staffing and monitoring constraints.
At its June 22 meeting the Richland County Executive & Finance Standing Committee reviewed county land assets and discussed options to generate non-tax revenue using fairgrounds, camp sites and underutilized parcels.
A committee member presented the Tri‑County Airport budget and said Richland County's share is "about $32,562." Members discussed whether the county should pursue short‑term steps such as improving fairgrounds camping capacity, using electronic reservation systems, or contracting management to reduce county staff burdens. One member noted the fairgrounds already have limited camping infrastructure and suggested contacting Marty Richardson, the fairgrounds director, for operational options.
Discussion flagged practical constraints: restroom and shower access, electricity hookups, 24/7 monitoring and compliance with health and safety rules, and the need for staffing or third‑party contractors to manage reservations and enforcement. Committee members suggested looking to nearby Sauk County's White Mound operation as a model for expanding park amenities and revenue.
Several members cautioned against selling large public parcels outright: one member asked whether the county would be "good stewards" of a 354‑acre tract and urged exploring park uses before considering disposal. The committee asked staff to follow up with fairgrounds leadership, evaluate potential revenue models (including contracting), and report back with feasibility and cost estimates at a future meeting.
Next steps: staff will contact Marty Richardson and Sauk County contacts for models, assess costs for utilities and monitoring, and present options at the next committee meeting.
