Fair Funding

By PJ Martin

Editor, The Herald-News

 

The Edmonton City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 4^th, at Edmonton City Hall. Those in attendance were Mayor Doug Smith, Councilmembers Teresa Hamlett, Curt Estes, Cathy Nunn, Tommy England, and City Attorney Brian Pack. Councilmember Faye Word was absent.

Others in attendance were City Clerk/Administrator Dawn Devore, Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley, Police Chief David Robertson, 911 Director Jordan Crump, ABC Administrator Fred Ray, Park & Recreation Director Brian Garrett, and for The Herald-News, PJ Martin.

After declaring a quorum present, Mayor Smith asked for a motion to approve the April 2 special-called meeting minutes. A motion, second, and approval followed.

In attendance were Chris Huffman and Johnny London from the Metcalfe County Fair Board. Huffman addressed the council. “I want to talk to you a little bit about the fair and kind of what we’re trying to do out there. We kind of got involved with the fair more than five or six years ago. Back when there was not a lot of funds available and different things, it was about ready to shut down.”

“First couple of years, we just had the old time fair and pony show. Only had agriculture events and a few things, trying to build up. We worked it back up and got back up to where last year was suitable for the Metcalfe County Fair.”

“When you call these Carnaval people… (they say) ‘You don’t have enough people in your county to support us’. So, they give you an offer of one lump sum for the whole week or for four days, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. And that’s kind of what we have to do.”

Huffman pointed out that the bad weather last year really hurt them and the fair. Since they have held fundraisers, searched out grants, and worked with the Extension Service, and have completed a new building which will house the pageants and floral hall this year, bringing those events back to the fairgrounds. They have also built a new horse ring.

He explained that they plan to have events like knife and gun shows, and the front with road access is being rented out for 400 Mile Yard Sale booths this year. All to raise money for the fair. He also related that they have their insurance agent looking into rain-out insurance, which would help recoup losses due to weather.

“We’ve been to fiscal court, and we thought we would come to you all to see if it would be possible for you all to have a discussion, basically putting it in your budget every year, just maybe $3,000 to help support the fair. I know how things are and how things are tight,” said Huffman, adding, “Right now, it’s going to cost us $59,200 to put the fair on, if we have a fair.”

After a brief bit of discussion, it was decided that this budget option would be discussed on a yearly basis, but the city would put it in the budget. A motion was made by Hamlett, seconded by England, and approved.

Huffman then asked Attorney Brian Pack if he could help with the reestablish their 501 3c non-profit status, which lapsed before they began working on the fair board. With the 501 c3, they can get a gaming license and offer some raffles to help raise funds. Pack agreed to help.

Next was the 2026-27 Municipal Road Aid Agreement, which provides funds from the fuel tax by the Finance and Administration Cabinet for the maintenance of roads. As of July 1, 2026, the amount is $32,034.91, divided as (60%) $18,644, a second allotment, and a third allotment. The agreement was approved.

Resolution #2025-2026-06 FY 26-27 Municipal Road Aid approving the execution of the Municipal Aid with the Transportation Cabinet, Department of Rural and Municipal Aid, was approved unanimously.

Resolution #2025-2026-07 authorizing the City of Edmonton to submit an application for funding under the FY 2026 Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) Grant Program. The resolution was also approved.

Police Chief Robertson was not present, but the April report was available. April had: 12 arrests, 4 non-injury accidents, 4 alarms, 4 animal complaints, 5 domestic disputes, 3 DUIs, 5 EPOs, 1 fight, 2 incomplete 911 calls, 9 new investigations, 4 motorist assists, 9 medical calls, 50 traffic stops, 4 warrants, and 2 escorts. Total complaints were 52, and citations were 20. They patrolled 3,791 miles.

Next was Jordan Crump with the April 911 Dispatch reports, “…for the month of April, the count for incidents is 617. Those overlap somewhat, so the actual number of calls for us was 491,” adding, “The city had 37.12% of those, and the county had 60.29%.”

Crump added, “I want to highlight two calls in particular. We had one standoff on the 23rd that was pretty tense, and it ended very well. That was involving the sheriff’s department and KSP. We had a pursuit on the 29th of April…despite the agency that initially gave us the call refusing to stay on the line with my dispatcher and give her turn-by-turn directions, we were able to ascertain where it was headed, and one of our officers actually cut them in and boxed them off, and they were able to arrest them out behind our police department. So, I was really, really proud of the work of both my dispatcher and Officer Clemmons.”

Metcalfe Fire Chief Troy Clemmons was present with the February and March fire department runs. February had 11 medical, 1 investigation, and 1 lift assist. March had 13 medical and 1 lift assist.

Bids were taken for blacktopping at the Edmonton Memorial Park using funds from a land and water conservation grant with a 50/50 match. The first bid was from Scotty’s Paving – lot $118,965, trail $46,000, and road $138,950. The second bid was Cleary Construction – lot $115,000, trail $35,000, and road $155,000.

The grant was for $197,759.75; the city matched for a total of $395,519.50 minus the concrete pad costs of ± $50,000, leaving around $340,000, which will cover all the blacktopping. The motion to accept Scotty’s Paving bid was made by Estes, seconded by Hamlett, and approved.

The meeting was adjourned.