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National Cattle Congress asks Black Hawk County for $25,000 in marketing support
Summary
Evelyn Van Aken, president of the National Cattle Congress board, asked supervisors for $25,000 to support marketing for the county fair (Sept. 24–27) and said the fair trimmed programming and plans a digital-focused strategy; the board asked for backup details and will respond in two weeks.
Evelyn Van Aken, president of the National Cattle Congress board, asked the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on July 7 for $25,000 in marketing support for the county fair slated for Sept. 24–27.
Van Aken described a revised marketing strategy that reduces radio spending, expands digital work (including geofencing around rodeo events), and brings some production work in‑house. The fair plans a shortened schedule (Friday–Sunday) with emphasis on school-program visits, rodeo events, a country‑western performer near a new beer garden and expanded free nonprofit booths in Estel Hall. "You have supported us in the past at the same level, and we greatly appreciate that," Van Aken told the board.
Board members asked for supporting backup, including vendor quotes and the county's prior-year funding comparisons; several supervisors said they had not received the packet emailed the prior night and asked Van Aken to resend documentation to the full board. Supervisors also discussed whether the support would be a contract for services rather than an unconstrained donation; staff said any county contribution would be structured as a contract for services.
What happens next: Van Aken agreed to resend the packet and the board asked staff to review prior agreements and the county's funding history; the board indicated it would aim to provide a final answer within two weeks.
