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Swain County approves $10,000 for ag fair, lowers food-truck fees and appoints broadband nominees
Summary
Commissioners approved $10,000 support for the county agricultural fair, moved to pilot lower food-truck charges ($50 regular, $75 festival) to attract vendors, and appointed two nominees to the broadband application panel during the July 7 work session.
The Swain County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved $10,000 in county support for the Swain County Agriculture Fair and voted to change food-truck fees at county recreation sites as part of a pilot to attract more vendors.
Ralph Hoff, introduced to the board as Swain County Extension director and a member of the Agriculture Fair Board, asked the county for $10,000 to cover port-a-potties, livestock prizes, entertainment and other fair costs for the Aug. 21–22 event. "We're requesting $10,000 from the county to help with the fair this August 21st to 22nd," Hoff said. A commissioner moved to provide the same amount as last year; the board approved the motion by a show of hands.
On food-truck fees, Taylor Wooder of the recreation department said vendors have cited the county's 25% revenue share as a barrier to participation and proposed lowering it to 15% or adopting a flat daily fee. After discussion comparing flat fees and percentage models, commissioners approved a motion to charge $50 per day for routine events and $75 for festival days as a trial.
Separately, commissioners filled two openings on a broadband application committee, nominating and approving Leonard Winchester and Karen Cook to represent the county's interests in broadband grant/selection discussions.
Next steps: County staff will implement the food-truck fee pilot and work with fair organizers to apply the approved $10,000 to the August fair; staff will also process the broadband committee appointments.
