Dairy barn hot topic at fair board meeting

FINDLAY — The Hancock County Fair Board heard complaints Monday about a plan to demolish a historic dairy barn at the fairgrounds. Plans are in place to replace it with a 21,720-square-foot small animal barn that would cost an estimated $2.9 million. The dairy barn, which had been scheduled to be demolished at the end of the 2025 Hancock County Fair, is still standing. On Monday, Haley Reese, fair and events manager and fair board secretary, promised the organizers of the Christmas in October Craft Show they would be able to use the building, which is set for Oct. 4. On Monday, Mike Kryling, representative of the dairy exhibitors and advocate against the decision to demolish the dairy barn, asked the fair board to delay the new animal barn project. The fair board has reportedly been secretive about the project, and Kryling has accused the board of being reckless with management of the fairgrounds. "A vote to proceed (with a decision to delay the project) would show the community that the fair board is acting responsibly and thoughtfully … it would also be beneficial for the board to allow time for fundraising efforts to help support the cost of the new building," Kryling said. Kryling also requested time to look into the relocation of the dairy barn, asking specifically about an area of the parking lot. "Relocating to the proposed site would only cost about 30-35 spaces, while still providing ample close parking for the new expo center," Kryling said. Some members of the board argued against the parking lot idea because the fairground leases that space, and the board would lose revenue. A motion was made to put the small animal building on hold to give the board a chance to get financial affairs in order. This motion was later rescinded after the board decided a delay in the project could mean a more expensive contract with Clouse Construction Corporation, of New Riegel. The fair board voted 13-6 at its regular board meeting in February to proceed with plans to build the small animal barn, where the dairy barn now stands, and connect it to the fairground's Legacy Building. Four board members were absent. The proposal was submitted by Clouse Construction. Fair Board President Levi Beagle said the construction company has completed engineering and models of the proposed building, but materials have not yet been ordered. Another motion was made to rescind a fair board decision from July 21 to finance additional money needed for construction of the small animal barn project. The vote was 12-10 in favor of rescinding the decision, however, board members said a two-thirds majority vote is needed to revoke the vote. The fair board voted 12-6 in a special meeting on July 21 to finance the additional money needed for the project, $1.7 million, or $2.2 million with an asphalt option, over 10 years. Five board members were absent. The monthly payments would be $23,875 for the higher loan amount. Funding for the small animal barn, as proposed by the fair board, includes $400,000 in state funds, $719,737 in bed tax funds and $250,000 from private donations. On July 31, the Hancock County Board of Commissioners voted to withhold $74,494 in quarterly bed tax revenue from the fair board after learning about its failed state audit. The State Auditor's Office found the fair board's 2022 financial statements contained errors in the hundreds of thousands of dollars about cash balance, spending and received grants. During the fair board meeting Monday, Reese reported this year's audit has not been scheduled yet. "The audit has not yet been started," Reese said. "We will meet with the (state) auditor and an independent CPA firm this week and will hopefully have an audit day selected by next week."