Ag Society votes Yes on demo derby Get ready to derby!
BROKEN BOW - There will be the sounds of crashing cars and smashing metal once more at the Custer County Fairgrounds.
At last Thursday’s Custer County Ag Society meeting (03/11/21), the board voted 7 to 1 to partner with the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce to host a Demolition Derby sometime this summer.
Before the vote was taken, there was much discussion about the board ‘s responsibilities to the tax payers to bring in events that could raise revenue for the fairgrounds and attract a crowd other than people who attend horse events versus keeping the arena grounds clear from debris that might injure horses and other animals.
In asking the board to consider the return of the demo derby, Fairgrounds administrator Michelle Nelson said when the arena was built, it was built with the understanding that it would be multi-purpose. “We have an amazing grandstand that seats 2,280 people,” she said and added that the grandstand is currently used about 17 days per year.
In addition to dirt work, raking and walking the arena to clear debris, Nelson said Chris Myers has a large magnet that can also collect debris.
Board members Blair Hartman and Steve Horn said it has been done before. Horn said a demo derby was part of the fair in the 70s. Hartman said she knows of places where a horse event take place the day after a demo derby. “It’s completely feasible,” she said. Casey Cooksley also spoke in favor of bringing people to the fairgrounds who might not other wise come.
Ira Spanel said he hated to see a demo derby in the arena, yet at the same time, recognized the board fiscal responsibility to the tax payers.
Becky Pearson spoke against bringing the derby back to the arena, saying she is not against the derby but she would vote no on holding in the same arena where horse events are held. She said she would vote yes to bring in other events to the arena.
At the meeting, Custer County Board Chairman Barry Fox said that
when the plan for the arena was first submitted to the board, it was with the idea the arena would be multi-use.
“It was always going to be portable,” he said, noting that the arena hadn’t been moved in six years. “I’d like to see a way to do different events.”
Fox also addressed concerns that some feel the relationship between the supervisors and Ag Society is strained over the subject. “The relationship is not rocky,” Fox said.
Voting yes to partner with the Chamber to bring the demo derby to Trotter Arena at the Custer County Fairgrounds were board members Shane Ryan, Steve Horn, Marla Stallbaumer, Ira Spanel, Casey Cooksley, Rodney Lamb, Kent Nelson and Blair Hartman. Voting no was Becky Pearson.
Administrator Nelson said a specific date hasn’t been selected, though it could be scheduled in June or August.
The board discussed the outcome of the annual audit by RJ Meyers of North Platte. Treasurer Ira Spanel reported that no criminal activity had been found, however, negligent activity has been identified. Spanel said the Ag Society is “five digits into penalties and fines.” He declined to name a specific figure however discussion indicated it was between $10,000 and $20,000 at this time.
Spaniel emphasized the work is not yet done and the final figure will not be known for some time. The main area of concern is payroll taxes.
The investigation focuses on the time that the Ag Society’s account was handled by Connie Ulmer Accounting. Ulmer is currently facing charges for depositing checks from the Broken Bow Booster Club into personal accounts. Prior to July, 2020, Ulmer Accounting handled finances for the Ag Society.
A forensic audit would cost $5,500 to start, Spaniel said, and continue at hourly rates of $200. The board will need to decide if such an audit is necessary and, if so, how much to spend. “We are responsible to the tax payers of this county,” Spanel said.
There is still more work to be done, he emphasized, before the full extent is know. Board member Steve Horn said, “We are not taking this lightly.”
Dana F. Cole has handled the accounting for the Ag Society since July, 2020.
The board reviewed bids to install new camper pedestals and eclectic hookups. The decision was tabled until more information could be gathered on the need for a new transformer and what that cost would be.
Administrator Michelle Nelson is preparing the 2021 county fair schedule. She reported that the free Pit BBQ and Bull Riding on Monday and Ultimate Bull Fighting on Tuesday.
Nelson reported revenue of $23,986.56 after expenses from the Winter Ball. She is also exploring grants to help make the grandstands ADA compliant.