KINGMAN – A plan transitioning the 72-acre Fairgrounds campus operation in Kingman to Mohave County control was approved during Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Public Works Director Steve Latoski told the Board that the county will post three new staff positions to support county operation of facilities currently managed by a Fair Association in a lease that will not be renewed at the end of the year.
Latoski said recruiting begins immediately for two support personnel and a Fairgrounds Superintendent. He said two more positions would be added next spring for 5 people to work under the Parks and Public Works Department umbrella.
Board Chairman Buster Johnson respectfully expressed doubt that the county has in-house expertise to secure the type of entertainment talent and market the product to take the operation where it needs to be. He said it might be better to hire an outside expert and promoter to turn the property into a successful money maker.
“We have a really great opportunity, maybe once in a generation, to really rebrand this thing and make it world class, so we should get the right people,” agreed supervisor Hildy Angius.
Latoski assured supervisors he’ll be looking for expertise when filling the Superintendent position. “Our intent would be to hire an individual who brings seasoned experience in Fairgrounds operations, somebody that’s seen it before, has done it before and all they do is live and breathe Mohave County Fairgounds and the Mohave County Fair,” Latoski said.
Johnson again expressed skepticism that the county could hire such a person when Latoski noted the Fairgrounds superintendent will be paid no more than $70,000.
Elters said he thinks it will take about 3 years for the county to settle into its Fairgrounds adventure. He requested authorization to spend up to $100,000 to study whether and where the Fairgrounds should be moved.
Supervisors questioned the expenditure and use of an outside consultant for the site study. Elters said the location question is a political hot potato and that he favored using a consultant to keep staff free of the cross hairs of controversy.
Supervisors approved Johnson’s motion to table consideration of the consultant until next January. Johnson said the county should learn more about the facilities and events before committing significant funds to move them.
Latoski advised the county is expected to lose $487,000 on the Fairgrounds between now and the end of June. He said the deficit is projected at another $399,000 in fiscal 2023.
Elters noted that revenue from Davis Camp and Hualapai Mountain Park sustains the county park operation. He said he thinks the Fairgrounds can become self-sufficient over time.
Johnson pushed back a couple of times when board members noted that the county can rely on support from the various groups that have always maintained an interest and involvement in the fairgrounds. Johnson said those failed efforts and relationships is what brings the operation back to county management in the first place.
Dave Hawkins
