The board and members of the Ash County Agriculture Campus committee reviewed a proposed lease and accompanying policies and procedures for the new Ash County Agriculture Campus and Livestock Center during the Oct. 6 meeting.

Committee members described facility operations, rental fees and processes, and recent events held at the campus (pump clinics, pumpkin festival, FFA competitions, a horse clinic and other community events). Committee members asked for several clarifications in the lease and policy document, including:

- Consistency on alcohol prohibition language (recommendation to strike “for sale” to match county policy).
- A requirement that the lessee provide quarterly reports of facility usage and finances (“quarterly or as requested” was suggested to establish a floor for reporting).
- Clarification of waiver of rental fees for county departments and the definition of “county function.”
- Cancellation and deposit refund language: the committee proposed a three-tier cancellation window (full refund if cancelled more than six weeks before event; 50% refund between six and four weeks; full loss if less than four weeks) and a discretionary exemption for extenuating circumstances.
- Safety and permitting language asking that the fire marshal and other safety officials review events and permitting needs.

Committee members also requested that the board allow the committee to advertise open seats and follow the county’s established appointment process for boards and committees. Commissioners asked that the draft policies be refined, that the committee provide revised language to staff and that the county attorney review the final draft before the board considers formal approval. The board directed that staff (Amy and county legal counsel) coordinate to finalize language and obtain an attorney check before returning to the board.

Why it matters: Final lease and operating rules will set terms for use of a new county facility that the community will use for agricultural events and education; clear rules are necessary for safety, insurance, county use and revenue generation.

Next steps: Committee to submit revised policy language per the board’s directions; county attorney to review final draft; staff to advertise committee openings once the lease and policies are finalized and approved.