Linn County Communications Officer
Linn County Communications.
The Linn County Fair & Expo Center is rebounding from a slowdown in events during the COVID-19 pandemic, Manager Kris Barnes told the Board of Commissioners at its meeting Feb. 21.
Commissioner Will Tucker was present, Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger participated by phone and Commissioner Roger Nyquist was not present.
Barnes said the Fair & Expo Center took in more than $110,000 in January, with personnel costs at $47,000. Materials and supplies totaled $52,010, which includes wages for temporary help.
The operation is down two staff members, Operations Work and Operations/Events Manager. On hold are Operations Manager and Marketing Manager positions.
Barnes said the March calendar is robust: March 3-4: ODF & W Archery Contest; March 4-5: Albany Rifle & Pistol Club Gun Show; March 10-11: Northwest Fly Tying Expo; March 10-12: Willamette High School Equestrian Show; March 17-19: Oregon Wood Turning Symposium; March 24-26: Northwest Horse Expo.
Barnes noted in his written report that as an example of upward trends, the annual Mid-Winter Square Dance Festival saw dwindling participation and cancelled in 2020 and 2021. This year’s event had the highest attendance in the past five years.
In other business, the Linn County commissioners:
– Approved accelerating the foreclosure process on a property in Lebanon that poses a danger to neighboring homes. The home has experienced unrepaired fire damage and the yard is filled with debris and bushes. Property taxes are five years in arrears and Assessor/Tax Collector Andy Stevens said his office has sent more than a dozen letters with no response. Commissioner Sprenger said she would support the effort, but only if every possible effort is made to “make this right.” Stevens said a public hearing will be held at the March 28 meeting of the Board of Commissioners before any further action is taken. If the property is foreclosed upon, the county will clean it up, much like it did earlier this winter also at a derelict property in Lebanon.
– Were told by Linn County Health Officer Dr. William Muth that there were 50 births (18 boys and 32 girls) in January and 135 deaths. Two deaths were children under one year of age by respiratory failure and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and four people more than 100 years old by fracture, stroke, abnormal heartbeat and natural causes.
– Were informed by Environmental Department Manager Shane Sanderson that January is a slow month for inspection due to wet soil conditions, but his staff inspected 66 restaurant kitchens, eight school kitchens, seven mobile units and had 26 follow-up inspections. There was one failure to comply.
– Approved the following Road Department easements on Goldfish Farm Road: $23,485 to James and Deena Hickey Joint Revocable Trust; $13,069 to Andrew Jensen and Stephanie Jensen; $3,481 to Dave Renly.
– Reappointed Commissioners Sprenger and Nyquist to the Budget Committee. Other members are Commissioner Tucker, Mellissa Barnard, Jennifer Stanaway and Kerry Johnson.
– Announced the continuation of a land use application by the City of Millersburg will resume at 10 a.m. March 7 at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center.
