Fair board requests same money as last year
Staff reporter
Marion County Fair Association personnel met Wednesday with Marion County Commission to discuss plans for this year's fair and make 2005 budget proposal.
Fair association board president John Reznicek and fair association director Chuck McLinden made the presentations.
Reznicek said improvements were made to the livestock area with the addition of concrete at a cost of $10,000.
"We're wanting to be able to do more of the 4-H events during the fair," Reznicek said. In the past, there was not adequate space for all 4-H events to occur during the four-day fair.
Better utilization of the space in the pavilion may allow more activities, McLinden said.
Reznicek said Gary Carlson of Marion who provides and sets up sound equipment (speakers, microphones, etc.) will be retiring in the near future. The association was purchasing equipment in phases in anticipation of Carlson's retirement.
The association sponsored and ran a demolition derby Memorial Day weekend and netted $4,000.
"There were 31 cars that participated," Reznicek said. "We definitely want to do it again next year," if festival planners decide to do it again.
Future improvements are to replace wall covering and install air conditioning in the 4-H building, Reznicek reported.
"The building could be rented for wedding receptions and other events," Reznicek said. Currently the building is primarily rented by auctioneers at a fee of $190 per day.
McLinden said Saturday during the fair will be "loaded with all kinds of events."
"A new carnival has been hired by the board," McLinden said. Wrist band day will be on Saturday. The carnival will be located west of the buildings instead of south of the ball field.
Reznicek concluded that he hoped the commission would allot the same amount of funding in 2005 as was provided in 2004.
The county fair will be Aug. 4-7.
County clerk Carol Maggard said $10,000 comes from the sales tax fund and $4,707 was given last year from levied taxes. The lesser amount was used for lease payment on bleachers.
April sales tax revenue was favorable at $40,360, reported Maggard. Last April the revenue was $37,199. With April's totals, $31,977 more has been collected this year than last year at this time.
Maggard also reported encumbrances totaled $30,083 for planning and zoning, appraisal, road and bridge, and transfer station department.
The commission approved June payroll and vouchers totaling $625,360.
Faye Makovec, register of deeds, presented her department's proposed budget for 2005. An additional two percent was added for personal services and an increase of $500 was indicated for commodities. Proposed increases totaled $1,500. The other line items would remain the same, Makovec said.
The commission approved an area fuel bid from Cardie Oil Company in the amount of $7,207. The fuel was for four areas, totaling 6,550 gallons at an average of $1.10 per gallon.
Maggard said U.S. Senator Jim Barnett had called the clerk's office and acknowledged receipt of a letter from the commission regarding the algae situation at Marion Reservoir.
Maggard reported Barnett said he would try to assist in the county's recommendations, detailed in the letter. Barnett said he would continue to be in contact with the commission.
County attorney Susan Robson requested and received a 10-minute executive session with the commission and Maggard to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
Throughout the morning meeting, the commission and Robson had two additional executive sessions, 10 and 15 minutes respectively, for attorney-client privilege. The meeting reconvened each time with no decisions.
Due to Independence Day observance, the commission met 9 a.m. Tuesday instead of Monday in the courthouse.
