Commissioners approve 50% facility-fee reduction for roping fundraiser to help local family

Carolyn Anderson Merritt of Rock Creek Ranch Roping Productions asked the board to waive facility fees for a planned roping event to benefit a local family whose eight-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. The county’s facility fee for the event was stated as $695; staff recommended a 50% reduction to offset staff and equipment costs while still supporting the charity.

"We had this event on the books, and we said, let's make this a benefit," Merritt said, explaining organizers would allocate half the entry pot to the family and the rest to production costs and prizes. Commissioners discussed setup labor, panel rental and fuel costs; staff described how panel setup and teardown reduce county labor.

After deliberation, the board voted to authorize a 50% reduction of the facility fee, with organizers agreeing to recognize Bannock County in event materials. The motion passed by voice vote.