Minutes 01-23-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dave Stancil reviewed maps of the proposed parking areas and the fair layout. He said the livestock events would be demonstration focused, rather than competitions. He said efforts will be made to encourage local food trucks and local restaurants to participate. Jeff Thompson continued the presentation and reviewed the following slides: Revenue and Costs oa First-time event— difficult to project revenues/costs oa General Budget Estimate: $189,000 revenues; ca $187,000 costs + 30% contingency of$56,000 (= up to $243,000) oa Proposed Events Planner would fundraise and manage revenues/costs. Costs do not include county staff time. oa Includes proposed funding from Visitors Bureau and General Fund (contingency/stop- loss) oa Around $9,500 in capital improvements to Blackwood Farm Park needed in FY 14-15 Cost/ Revenue Estimates oa Working Group Suggestions oa Receive and discuss the report and projected budget oa Authorize solicitation and hiring of professional events planner to coordinate fundraising, volunteers and fair planning/management. Manager's Recommendation oa Receive and discuss the follow-up information and either: A. Direct staff to move forward with creation of County Fair for Spring 2015, and agree to include funding in FY 2014-15 budget and CIP; or B. Direct staff not to move forward with the County Fair project. Jeff Thompson reviewed the schematic from page 8 of the packet. He said the working group recommends viewing these financial assumptions in a balance neutral format. He said this means looking equally at expenses and the generation of funds. He said the financial information assumes a modest midway. He said the midway is planned for the 1.3 acre area in the northeast corner of the map, but if the midway were not to occur, then that cost would not be included. Commissioner Dorosin said after the Board's last work session, the group took the cost concerns to heart, and work was done to address this and do the event in a revenue neutral fashion. He said the intent is to recoup the cost of an event planner as well. He said this event is designed to celebrate the County. He said the meetings reflect the diversity of people interested in this project, and this was inspiring to him. He said concerns about Hogg Days are no longer an issue. He emphasized that there is not currently an event for the entire County. He said the fair will focus on and highlight local events organized by local people. Commissioner Price said another goal is to help promote local businesses, as well as the County. She said the County needs to do more community building, and this will help with that. Commissioner Pelissier said the report does not tell how much future staff time is anticipated for this event. Dave Stancil said this is hard to answer. He said even with an event planner, there would need to be a liaison from a number of different departments to develop the activity. He