Revising renters contract topic at fair board meeting

Editor’s note: This version corrects the second reference to the Great Northern Fair Board and the dates selected for the 2019 Great Northern Fair.

The Great Northern Fair Board discussed and passed Thursday a new policy dealing with insurance and damage to fairgrounds property.

Board Vice Chair Scott Doney, who chaired the monthly meeting held in the Timmons Room of the Hill County Courthouse, said that after an incident this year when a horse damaged a door on the Bigger Better Barn, the board needed to reassess its policy about insurance. The fairgrounds has insurance and renters have liability insurance but it was unclear what the insurance coverage is for property damage that occurred during events.

Many different ideas were passed around discussing what options were available for the board. After discussing deductibles, the possibility of pro-rating events, what the current insurance covers and value of property that was damaged, the board decided to revise the rental contract.

The contract will now read, “Any property damage occurred by the user is liable for damages up to the $2,000 deductible; special circumstances will be considered.”

The board also discussed the mill levy for the fairgrounds that will be on this November’s ballot.

Doney said the board members will need to get out and talk to people about the mill levy and educate them on why it is important for the community.

Hill County Extension Agent Shylea Wingard said the college, high school and local rodeos should also get out and advocate for the mill levy. All other matters of the levy were postponed until next meeting.

Next year’s fair was also discussed regarding planning. The board agreed on the third week of July, July 17-21, 2019, as the dates for the Great Northern Fair. Doney said the fair was in the black this year, although numbers were down.

The fair for next year is still being planned by the board, although Doney said in the future of the fair seems positive.

Doney said the Bigger Better Barn renovation has been completed although the contractor did pass the agreed finishing date. The fee of $4,500 for the missing the deadline, Doney said, was not paid.

“I find it disappointing,” he said, adding that it was a large amount of money. He added that it was the commissioners responsibility to collect the late fee.

Doney also updated the board that Rez Q Dogs has finished housing dogs in the Bigger Better Barn as well.

There was also a donation made to the fair board from Garbage Inc., Doney said, of $825. The board agreed to mail the company a card for their donation.

The agenda item of changing the position title and hiring of a new Fair Grounds manager was moved to next meeting. Board member Chelby Gooch said the board has a hiring committee, and it can begin to look into the matter and bring its findings to the next meeting.