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Commission Minutes—July 27, 2022 5610 6. RED RIVER VALLEY FAIR ASSOCIATION Cody Cashman, General Manager of the Red River Valley Fair (RRVF) Association was present to review the 2023 budget request. The request is $675,000 up from $500,000 in 2022 and $210,000 in 2021. Mr. Cashman said in 2021 the RRVF had a successful year with the highest attendance and revenues the fair has seen. He said in 2022 the most recent fair also broke attendance records despite having three rainy days. He said the increase request amount is due to needed maintenance with the RRVF's sewer lines. He said the fair experienced three water main breaks during the fair and it was discovered two clay sewer lines are crumbling. He said the RRVF's pipes are all clay and are over 75 years old. He said he promised the Board last year, it was his goal to get off the County's budget within five years and this is still his goal. He said with the funds the Board approved last year, the RRVF was able to pay off their highest debt. Mr. Cashman said the RRVF has increased its events including adding a snow cross event, a renaissance festival, pumpkin patch and corn maze, and winter lights display. Mr. Steen said the Board approved a higher than normal amount of funding in 2022 using COVID relief funds and this year the County is dealing with a $4.5 million deficit. Mr. Peterson said he struggles with an allocation of resources due to the County not having the resources to allocate this year. He said he believes state funding is needed for the RRVF as the North Dakota State Fair in Minot receives. Mr. Cashman said the RRVF does not receive any State or Federal funding as other fairs around the country do. Mrs. Scherling asked if the RRVF is planning to expand the campground area as was discussed at last year's budget hearings. Mr. Cashman said the RRVF is working with the City of West Fargo on the planning and zoning. He said the expansion is not possible without additional funding. He said the RRVF cannot afford a $3 million campground expansion. Mr. Cashman said the RRVF is not going to fail without funding from the County. He said his main concerns are the infrastructure issues. He said last year the RRVF engaged Moore Engineering to conduct an infrastructure study and gave estimates for repairs. He said the RRVF has a plan and needs funding to complete the projects. MOTION, passed Mr. Peterson moved and Mr. Kapitan seconded to amend the 2023 preliminary budget for the Red River Valley Fair Association to $337,500. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 7. ROAD DEPARTMENT Jason Benson, County Engineer; Tom Soucy, Deputy County Engineer; Blain Laaveg, Highway Superintendent; and Kyle Litchy, Assistant County Engineer were present to review the 2023 budget. Mr. Benson said the 2022 budget will carryover $3 million to the 2023 budget. The 2023 total revenues are $33 million; $10.8 million from property taxes, $9.6 million from Highway Distribution taxes, and $6.5 million in Prairie Dog funding. Total 2023 expenditures are $27 million, leaving an ending balance of $6.2 million to complete projects in 2024 and to accommodate for increasing material and labor costs. Mr. Benson discussed various costs and projects to be completed in 2023. The total 2023 costs for engineering services is $1,192,860, the total cost of highway projects is $9,685,220, the total costs of bridge projects is $7,843,067, and the total cost of heavy equipment is $920,000. Mr. Peterson asked if it is a requirement to contract out for engineering services to inspect bridges after construction is complete. Mr. Benson said the North Dakota Department of Transportation requires bridge inspections to receive State and Federal funding. He said the NDDOT pays 80% of the cost share and the County pays the remaining 20%. Mr. Steen asked about a line item for $100,000 for the sale of property. Mr. Benson said this account is used for selling old equipment and signs. He said the price the Highway Department will get for equipment being sold varies.