Supervisors discuss deeding Dubuque County Fairgrounds to Fair Association with restrictions

County planning staff and Fair Association officials presented competing priorities and a draft approach for the future of the Dubuque County Fairgrounds during a March 16 work session.

Ed Raber, the county’s planning and development director, summarized options explored since last year and said county and fair association counsel both recommended transferring the property to the Fair Association with deed restrictions that would preserve the site as fairgrounds, include recapture language if the association dissolved or violated terms, and limit borrowing or encumbrances.

John Breese, general manager of the Dubuque County Fairgrounds, and Kevin Coats, president of the Dubuque County Fair Association, told supervisors the association needs a long-term solution—either a long lease or deed ownership—to pursue major fundraising and capital projects. “It’d be like trying to shovel the snow and not use your hands,” Breese said, urging the board to move to a structure that would allow the association to raise philanthropic funds.

Supervisors pressed for safeguards: Supervisor Anne (first name used in the meeting) expressed concern that a deed transfer without long-term financial planning could encumber the association, pointed to previous county grants and low-interest loans for fair repairs, and recommended the county retain oversight mechanisms. Raber and the county attorney, who has reviewed options, said a deed with carefully drafted restrictions and recapture clauses is legally viable and could be drafted for board consideration.

The board directed staff to finalize deed language and to return in April with a resolution and attorney-reviewed agreement. Fair Association representatives said their board would take a formal vote after seeing final drafts.

What happens next: county staff will incorporate supervisor feedback, add clarified borrowing limits and contextual language to the draft deed/restriction document, obtain final legal review, and return to the Board of Supervisors with a resolution in April.