Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairgrounds Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners eliminate fairgrounds groundskeeper position after Fairboard recommendation
Summary
Washington County commissioners voted 2-1 to eliminate the fairgrounds groundskeeper position; public commenters and local advocates urged the board to retain Randy Lee, who supporters said had served 15 years.
Washington County commissioners voted to eliminate the fairgrounds groundskeeper position effective immediately, a motion the board approved 2-1 after a Fairboard recommendation. Commissioner Todd Ewen moved to eliminate the position based on the Fairboard recommendation; the motion passed with Commissioner Cardwell opposed.
Several residents urged the commissioners to retain the employee identified in public comment as Randy Lee. "Randy Lee has been the groundskeeper at the fairgrounds for 15 years and has many duties," Misty Sullivan said, asking the board to keep him in the role. Lucy Brenton and other commenters also spoke in support of county staff and raised broader concerns about local boards and meeting postings.
The transcript shows the issue was previously tabled when a commissioner was absent, and then brought back and approved at the Sept. 16 meeting. The record notes the Fairboard eliminated the position on Aug. 13, 2025, and the commissioners' motion to eliminate was made "based on the recommendation of the Fairboard." The vote on Sept. 16 was recorded as passing 2-1, with Commissioner Cardwell opposing.
The action does not include further detail in the minutes about any severance, reassignment, or appeal steps. The minutes do not specify whether the county will post the position for recruitment, provide transitional pay, or take other personnel steps; those details were "not specified" in the meeting record. The meeting record indicates Commissioner Ewen, Commissioner Marshall and Commissioner Cardwell were the voting commissioners present.
