Public raises concerns about Lebanon term sheet and potential revenue loss for Warren County fair

During public comment, a resident identified as Warren Miller pressed the commissioners for clarity about what the county’s definition of the county fair is and raised concerns about a term sheet from the City of Lebanon. Miller said the term sheet signed by Martin Russell appears to limit activity to a "junior fair" (livestock exhibition only) and excludes senior-fair events and vendors, which he said are the agricultural society’s main revenue source.

Miller described the agricultural society's finances under that scenario: "without all that, our income is only $30,000," he said, and added that the city’s proposed adjustments — which he summarized as the city wanting to "save 25% and then still charges $50,000 on that on top of that" — would leave the society unable to sustain fair operations as currently run. Board members said they will schedule a public work session to examine the term sheet and the financing details and invited Miller to return for that meeting.

Commissioners said they would seek additional documentation before the public work session and discussed holding the meeting in the evening to make it easier for 4‑H families and other stakeholders to attend; one speaker noted the county has 900 4‑H families. Staff said written comments are welcome and that the board wants full discussion with all commissioners present.

Next steps: the commission will schedule a public work session to review the term sheet and financing implications for the fairgrounds, request documentation from staff and invited the commenter and other stakeholders to participate.