The Decatur County Commissioners and project contractors used the Sept. 26 special session to resolve a range of finishing and systems decisions for the new fairgrounds community building, focusing on flooring selections, interior layouts and future‑proofing for access control and emergency power.

Contractors presented product samples and explained where luxury vinyl tile (LVT), epoxy floor treatments, and sealed concrete would be used. Staff and extension‑office representatives favored LVT for the office area (chosen color families: neutral grays, tans and wood‑tones were discussed) with epoxy reserved for the restrooms, kitchen, hallway near the restrooms (hallway 108), the base of the stairs and the 5‑by‑5 landing at the stair opening. The large exhibit hall will remain sealed/finished concrete with a textured option recommended to reduce slip risk in high‑traffic public areas. The mechanical room was discussed as a candidate for sealed concrete rather than epoxy to save budget if the incremental cost is not justified.

The extension office requested an L‑shaped counter at the front office (18 inches deep facing the window, turning to 30 inches deep on the right) at a 36‑inch counter height; staff confirmed studs and framing allow the requested configuration and noted any change might later be handled as a change order. The board noted that chairs brought from an existing extension office and four new desks were planned; staff will coordinate color palettes with extension staff and provide physical flooring/epoxy/cove base samples before final selection.

Security and access questions included master keying, Knox box installation (already installed), and the possibility of future card‑ or fob‑based access control. Staff advised that doors can be modified for internal strikes or maglocks while the frames remain exposed; commissioners asked staff to obtain cost estimates for a key‑card/fob system and for additional conduit and stub‑outs to make later installation easier. The board discussed locking strategy for events so that the office area can be secured while exhibit hall egress remains compliant with fire code; staff confirmed doors will be configured to meet egress requirements (doors swinging to permit exit) and recommended one‑key access for event managers with master keying retained by county staff.

Contractors and staff also discussed site systems: a conduit and a transfer‑switch‑ready connection point so the county’s portable generator can be tied in without back‑feeding, and adding stubbed conduits/vaults under planned paving to simplify future low‑voltage and audio runs. The county and contractors agreed to investigate a small below‑grade vault or stubbed conduits at the north side of the building to preserve later access. Drainage work was also discussed: downspouts from the new building can be routed to existing drainage tile and to a planned drainage solution near livestock wash racks that currently send water toward the goat barn; excavation and downspout work will coordinate with the county’s excavation contractor.

Facilities planning for events included racks and storage to move up to 500 chairs and dozens of tables to the mezzanine via forklift or telehandler; staff will price racks and carts that include fork pockets. Commissioners asked staff and contractors to return with cost estimates for epoxying additional exhibit hall areas, for access control hardware and for a conduit/vault option to preserve future connectivity.