Title
CONSIDERATION OF A FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH SEDGWICK COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION.
Presented by: Brent Shelton, Economic Development & Tax System Director, Valerie Kaster, Project Services Manager, and Bret Albers, President of the Sedgwick County Fair Association.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the funding agreement and authorize the appropriate signatures.
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Sedgwick County has received a non-recurring funding request of $100,000 from the Sedgwick County Fair Association; a non-profit organization operating the annual County Fair each July, in Cheney, Kansas. The fair includes 4H activities, commercial and food vendors, local bands, and other entertainment, including a Rodeo and Demolition Derby. The Fair Association is a volunteer-based organization with a mission to provide an atmosphere for families and friends to gather. The Fair began in the 1940s and annual attendance has grown to about 25,000, all with free admission.
County funds are requested to replace Building 2, a 55-year-old wood structure on a concrete foundation, with concrete slab in the main space. The main area of the building is 25.5’x79’ (2,014.5 SF), with a lean-to on the east side that is 12.5x79’ (987.5 SF). The Fair Association would like to raze and replace the building with a metal building with a steel structure; similar to Building 3, adjacent to Building 2.
The Association has received a quote of $67,470.00, from Evans Building Co., Inc. to provide and install a 50’ x 80’ (4,000 SF) steel building, with 4” thick insulation, gutters, downspouts, two-man doors, and two framed 10’x10’ overhead doors. They are charging an additional $8,522.00 for the 8’ liner panel. The remaining material estimates have been pulled from previous, similar Sedgwick County project estimates and have been determined for the concrete slab ($20,000.00), two overhead doors ($15,030.00), and electrical ($20,000.00). The total cost for the building is estimated to be approximately $132,022.00. The Association is counting on local volunteer assistance for the demolition and much of the labor required for the concrete and electrical work.
Without County support, the Association will likely have to demolish the building and leave the land bare until the money could be raised to build a new one. This would likely adversely affect vendor attendance and participation since most commercial vendors prefer indoor space.
Alternatives: Do not approve the funding agreement.
Financial Considerations: The Sedgwick County Fair Association requests one-time funding from Sedgwick County in the amount of $100,000.00. If the funding request is approved, budget authority of $100,000.00 will be transferred from the BOCC Contingency Fund to the Culture & Recreation Community Programs fund center.
Legal Considerations: K.S.A. 19-101 authorizes this action. A simple majority vote is required.
Policy Considerations: N/A
Outside Attendees: Representatives from the Sedgwick County Fair Association.
Multimedia Presentation: Unknown.