Keith County Ag Society seeks $25,000 annual boost for fairgrounds repairs; commissioners hear request

The Keith County Ag Society asked the county board for an additional $25,000 a year to address deferred maintenance at the fairgrounds and to leverage matching grants, the society's president said. Mark Perlinger, president of the Ag Society, appeared with officers and told commissioners the society's annual budget has risen from about $100,000 to $124,000 in the last decade, and most of that revenue goes to one paid employee, insurance and utilities. The group said that leaves little capital for repairs to aging buildings, bleachers and restrooms and that a predictable $25,000 county contribution each year would let the society plan multi-year projects and attract matching funds from the visitors committee and others. Commissioners and staff praised recent improvements and the fair's momentum. No formal vote was taken; Perlinger presented a three-year project plan and said year-one costs are based on contractor estimates and earlier planning. The society requested the funding as part of the county's budget process; commissioners said they will consider the request along with other budget items. Why it matters: The fairgrounds are county-owned community assets used for large public events; predictable county funding would allow the society to plan multi-year capital projects and leverage outside grants.