WASHINGTON

In the midst of Tuesday’s ongoing snowstorm, the Washington County Supervisors got very good news: the Washington County Fair is the top county fair in the state.

In making the announcement, Kurt Dallmeyer, county fair board president, called it the “best news” of the year for the association, but stressed it is the kids who make the fair through Extension and 4-H clubs. “We provide the ground, they provide the kids. It all starts with the youth.”

Besides becoming Number 1, the 2023 fair also set attendance records: 4000 for single-day and 17,000 for the week.

Of course, becoming Number 1 was a great team effort, he said, and also due to having good facilities. New to the fair in 2023 was a cast iron seat exhibit/auction that drew people from a number of states. Three years ago, the rabbit show drew not only a good attendance but the attention of the American Rabbit Breeders Association for its facilities and variety. What also drew attention three years ago was the fur trappers’ convention.

Dallmeyer explained that the board tries for different events, as well as some top entertainment, that cost $115,000. The price now is $136,000, reflecting about a 20 percent increase in fees, some of it linked to the fact that at one time there were 400 acts available for the fairs; now it is 200, much a reflection of the impact of two years of pandemic.

For 2024, the board already has started its lineup, which will see the fair opening with the Kickoff Concert featuring Wild Horse and a completely new event, an interactive kids’ cooking show with a chef to direct it.

Despite facing some higher costs and also budgeting for improvements, a new fair grounds fence, and further repairs and maintenance, the board kept its request for county funds at $41,000, unchanged from last year. In noting that the county is facing a possible $400,000 shortfall in state funds, supervisor Marcus Fedler asked if it were necessary, could the fair do a 5 to 10% reduction.

Dallmeyer replied that the fair’s revenues come from admission gate fees, sponsorships (“local businesses have been very supportive”) and the county. In view of the current situation, he said simply that “we will need more revenue somehow from somewhere.” He added that the board has long strived to keep the fees affordable for families in the county since, from its beginning, it “has been a family friendly event.” And, keeping admission reasonable is vital.

For the record, Dallmeyer noted the four other counties in the top five: Woodbury, 372 members, Delaware, 362, Plymouth, 355 and Warren, 352. Washington has 397 members. Polk County, which is home to Des Moines (and the state fair) has 306 and ranks 15th.

In other business, the board approved an amendment with Tri-City Electric, Davenport, for the county courthouse wiring project for updating data cables and the new phone locations (a 57 total with 114 drops). The contract for the new phone system was signed last fall with Tri-City. Cost of the work is $57,465, an increase of $2,465 which required the contract amendment. All work is to be completed by the fall of 2024.

The board approved the reappointment of Craig Capps to the Washington County Conservation Board.

The board deferred the annual report and funding request from HACAP to next week due to the weather problems for the officials coming from Cedar Rapids. There is no change in the HACAP request; it remains at $120,000 to aid with its Washington County operations that includes the local housing program at Old Main and also programs at Orchard Hill, which include the regionally managed Head Start Program (preschool and Early Head Start) and the energy assistance programs.

Finally, the board approved a wage change for Joshua Laws, Ambulance Service medic, from $27.44 hourly to $28.38, effective January 9. He has been with the department for three years.