County and Fair Association spar over contract changes as September deadline nears

County staff (Laurie Cox and counsel Andrew Massey) outlined a series of proposed changes to the 2017 contract that cover permitting, code compliance, communication protocols, committee composition and meeting transparency. Counsel explained the contract automatically renews in five‑year increments and that a 1‑year non‑renewal notice must begin by the end of the month unless the parties agree a limited extension or other arrangement.

Andrew Massey (county counsel) clarified Brown Act and contract timing: "The current term ends in September '27, and so the non renewal notice has to begin in this month, maybe September 30," he said, adding the county proposed an approach to buy negotiating time without triggering the one‑year wind‑down notice. County staff said they wanted more clarity about roles and responsibilities and stronger written protocols for when the association plans property changes.

Association CEO Jerome and counsel said the association was willing to negotiate in good faith but objected to what they described as the county holding a "hammer" by threatening termination. Jerome said some county proposals—specifically, a shift in board composition to a smaller board with a majority appointed by the county—were unexpected and had not been publicly considered. Several supervisors and association board members agreed to form a small subcommittee (limited to fewer than a majority of the ad‑hoc committee to avoid Brown Act complications) to meet before the supervisors' next meeting and report back.

Why it matters: the contract governs operations of the county fairgrounds and the association's role as the county's agent; changes could alter board composition, public transparency, permitting workflows and the county's ability to act on property changes. The committee set near‑term next steps: form a limited subcommittee (staff, two supervisors and association representatives) and continue negotiations with an aim to return a recommendation to the board of supervisors before the renewal/termination deadline.