Union County Council advances overhaul of boards and commissions; fairgrounds to be leased to 501(c)(3) Fair Board

Union County Council on March 11 approved on first reading an ordinance to update the county code governing boards and commissions, a two-year effort intended to align advisory bodies with current county operations.

Chairman Phillip Russell said the draft ordinance would eliminate the Union County Stadium Board, the Tourism Commission and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission; it would establish an Accommodations and Hospitality Tax Board in their place and revise the Fair Board's status so it would become a 501(c)(3) and take a long-term lease of the fairgrounds from the county.

Russell told the council the changes are designed to reduce county liability for boards that operate like independent non-profits; under the proposal the Fair Board could hire an executive director and manage day-to-day operations while maintaining county-appointed membership and a lease arrangement. Vice chair David Sinclair and other members raised questions about preserving public access and use of the fairgrounds; Russell said council retention of appointment authority and lease language will address availability for community projects. Councilman Danny Bright said he felt the ordinance language covered the concerns. The measure passed first reading unanimously; Russell said further adjustments could be made before final reading.

The ordinance is the product of nearly two years of work and will return for further review and additional readings; staff and council members indicated outreach will continue with state partners regarding the Alcohol and Drug Abuse functions.