Museum leaders ask Crook County commissioners to support five-year levy; outreach planned at county fair

Sean, a representative speaking for the local historical society, asked Crook County commissioners to place a five-year museum tax levy on the November ballot and recommended keeping the rate at 6¢ per $1,000. "This year... we're gonna do the same, 6¢ per thousand," Sean said, adding that levy revenue "helps us support our day to day operations, covers facility maintenance, staff, collection management, and the preservation of Crook County history." He said the levy historically provides roughly one-third of the museum's budget.

Commissioners and meeting participants discussed outreach tactics ahead of the fair, proposing a short banner, brochures at the museum booth, and visual cues (a straw-bale path or signage) to direct fairgoers to the Ranchers Memorial and museum exhibits. One commissioner urged keeping county employees out of campaign activity: "I think we need to keep county employees out of pushing for, either pro or against," the Chair said. Staff clarified that the county can publish informational material approved by the election board on the county website but cannot engage in campaigning on behalf of the levy.

Sean said the historical society will form a separate committee to run campaign outreach, and he invited commissioners to endorse the effort if they choose. Commissioners asked for written materials to review and suggested including a short, 10-word banner message and distribution at the busiest day of the fair. The museum representatives agreed to return with materials and to coordinate logistics with the fair board and county staff ahead of the August 5 meeting.