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Washington County Fair Board approves year‑end financials and adopts 2026–27 budget
Summary
The Washington County Fair Board approved financials through Dec. 31, 2025, and adopted the proposed 2026–27 budget and unchanged fee schedule. Staff warned the December transient lodging tax allocation was still preliminary and the sheriff had requested an 8% security increase that was not funded.
The Washington County Fair Board on Jan. 28 approved its year‑end financial report and adopted the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget after a presentation from staff.
Leah (staff member) told the board the monthly financial report was current through December 2025 but that the December transient lodging tax (TLT) allocation had not yet posted. "The preliminary number for December is $42,762," Leah said, adding the figure was not final because some collections were still outstanding.
Leah outlined several accounting corrections that staff made at year end, including journal entries to reclassify charges in concessions, janitorial and parking. She also explained a negative utility adjustment (–$15,003.46) that corrected the allocation so the fair board pays only for the latter half of July utilities.
On revenue, Leah said the fair generated about $2,195,494 in the six‑month snapshot and reported roughly $75,000 in profit for the year. Board member Jerry said the 10‑day fair format contributed to improved margins, and Leah said profits are being reinvested in fairgrounds upgrades such as electrical, water and sewer work.
Leah noted a recurring $250,000 payment to the sheriff's department for security at the July fair and said the sheriff had requested an 8% increase for the coming year. "They are asking for a slight increase, an 8% increase, for the upcoming fiscal year, and we can talk about that in the budget," she said, but later added she did not include the increase in the proposed budget because the board needs to hold the line on expenses.
Leah presented the proposed budget calendar and key dates: the county budget is due Feb. 9, will be published to the county website on Apr. 27 and reviewed by the county board of commissioners on June 16. She reported the proposed total revenue line shown in the packet was $2,000,536,527 (countywide allocation) and that TLT overall is trending lower, though Oregon Lottery funds allocated to fairs increased this cycle.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve the financials; the motion carried and the chair announced the financials were approved through Dec. 31, 2025. The board then voted to adopt the proposed 2026–27 budget. Leah also presented the fee schedule (parking, concessions, RV parking, exhibitor fees) and recommended no changes; the board approved the fee schedule unchanged.
The board directed staff to proceed with submittal of the adopted budget and to continue monitoring TLT receipts and security requests as the next steps.
