Fair Receives Financial Boost From County
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
County council voted to approve $43,000 to upgrade the electrical system that has plagued the facility for years.
The money comes on top of a regular annual allowance, and will cover the cost of installing a new electrical system at the fairgrounds. However, individual users, such as the Horse and Pony Club, will be expected to complete electrical work on barns and buildings at the fairgrounds.
Councilman Tom Anglin noted that REMC's $43,000 bid for the project was less than half of what NIPSCO bid. REMC has offered to provide free labor.
Fairgrounds spokeswoman Becky Thomas said she planned to set forth an aggressive campaign to find volunteer labor and support for the improvements.
The improvements could help set the stage for more activities at the financially depleted facility, she said.
Electrical improvements should lead to a cost savings and eliminate what many considered a dangerous environment.
"I'm hoping that we as a board can turn this thing around and show the community that there is something to offer Kosciusko County," she said.
"I thank you all," she said.
Approval comes after council originally voted against a request for additional money.
The $43,000 represents the second consecutive year council has provided additional emergency funds for the fairgrounds.
The vote was 5-2. Councilman Lewis Bertsch said he opposed it because 90 percent of comments he hears suggest council should not provide more money to the fairgrounds. Also opposing was Harold Jones.
The vote was cast during a special budget session. Council will meet again to consider further cuts at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Other decisions cast Tuesday included:
• Elimination of $18,000 for consulting fees in the highway budget. Superintendent Ken Traylor, who is contemplating retirement in 1997, proposed the $18,000 if he should step down and the position is unfilled.
• Approval of a request by prosecutor David Kolbe for a receptionist. A part-time deputy prosecutor's position was elevated to full-time. A request for an additional secretary was denied.
• Increasing the amount of part-time pay for the animal shelter after voting against a request for an additional full-time employee.
• Providing $18,560 for a secretary for personnel director Ron Robinson. [[In-content Ad]]
County council voted to approve $43,000 to upgrade the electrical system that has plagued the facility for years.
The money comes on top of a regular annual allowance, and will cover the cost of installing a new electrical system at the fairgrounds. However, individual users, such as the Horse and Pony Club, will be expected to complete electrical work on barns and buildings at the fairgrounds.
Councilman Tom Anglin noted that REMC's $43,000 bid for the project was less than half of what NIPSCO bid. REMC has offered to provide free labor.
Fairgrounds spokeswoman Becky Thomas said she planned to set forth an aggressive campaign to find volunteer labor and support for the improvements.
The improvements could help set the stage for more activities at the financially depleted facility, she said.
Electrical improvements should lead to a cost savings and eliminate what many considered a dangerous environment.
"I'm hoping that we as a board can turn this thing around and show the community that there is something to offer Kosciusko County," she said.
"I thank you all," she said.
Approval comes after council originally voted against a request for additional money.
The $43,000 represents the second consecutive year council has provided additional emergency funds for the fairgrounds.
The vote was 5-2. Councilman Lewis Bertsch said he opposed it because 90 percent of comments he hears suggest council should not provide more money to the fairgrounds. Also opposing was Harold Jones.
The vote was cast during a special budget session. Council will meet again to consider further cuts at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Other decisions cast Tuesday included:
• Elimination of $18,000 for consulting fees in the highway budget. Superintendent Ken Traylor, who is contemplating retirement in 1997, proposed the $18,000 if he should step down and the position is unfilled.
• Approval of a request by prosecutor David Kolbe for a receptionist. A part-time deputy prosecutor's position was elevated to full-time. A request for an additional secretary was denied.
• Increasing the amount of part-time pay for the animal shelter after voting against a request for an additional full-time employee.
• Providing $18,560 for a secretary for personnel director Ron Robinson. [[In-content Ad]]