Opening the budget discussion on Tuesday “Janaury 24 was Randy Thompson ready to discuss maintenance budget needs for the court house and the jail. Discussions are currently underway for a roof and air conditioning units for the jail using ARPA funds. This discussion is separate from ARPA funds.
The biggest budget concerns presented Tuesday was a request from the court for improvements to the air conditioning on the 3rd floor. The areas needing improved cooling ws the judges’ chambers, a conference area used by attorneys and the law library. Thompson noted that the third floor presents special challenges with air conditioning. Drainage requirements for window air conditioning are more difficult than lower windows.
The auditor and treasurer both presented their budget requests and answered questions with little special needs expected for either office. Missy Hattermann, Treasurer, noted that postage costs would have significant impact to her office’s budget. “Mailing has more than doubled,” she said.
Darwin Gaudian and Kevin Mars presented the request for the 2023 of the O’Brien County Fair. The fair has asked for and received $37,900 for many years. This year they requested $42,000, saying, “Expenses are going up. The Fair must pay utilities this year.” The pair explained that the City of Primghar had previously covered the utilities, but had recently received a notice that they cannot do that. Guardian guessed utilities would run approximately $4000.
A few projects are planned for this year. The major project is to remodel the show ring building. They are looking to improve ventilation and work to moderate the temperature inside using outside shade. Lighting improvements all around are on this year’s task list.
The “guestimated” cost of the show ring improvements is $61,000. The Fair Board has identified a $50,000 match grant and fundraising for the grant, already underway, is going well.
Guardian and Mars shared with the board that 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the O’Brien County Fair.