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People show support for Expo Park Photo by Jim Craven High school Future Farmers of America members line the benches at Tuesday morning's Jackson County budget hearings. County asked to take over its maintenance By CHRIS BRISTOL The annual snoozefest known as county budget hearings got a wakeup call Tuesday with a huge show of support for the Expo Park. Dozens of people, including a student contingent from Future Farmers of America, packed the Jackson County Courthouse auditorium to promote a modest accounting change that could make a big difference in the Expo's bottom line. "This is not the norm around here," observed Commissioner Sue Kupillas. "We're not used to so many young people at these things." At stake is a tiny slice of the county's budget -- projected at nearly $160 million -- and the future of many small events at the fairgrounds. Last year the Expo ran a deficit of more than $163,000, and more red ink is expected this year. The 250-acre park by the freeway in Central Point is home to the county fair as well as other events like horse shows and the annual Harvest Fair. For the fiscal year 1999-2000, which begins July 1, the Expo has a proposed budget of nearly $1.4 million. The Expo generally pays for itself, thanks to events such as the fair, but the county also chips in $117,000 in tax support. Expo Manager Chris Borovansky asked the budget committee -- which comprises all three commissioners and three members of the public -- to take over maintenance of the facilities. The cost: $185,000. Without the help, Borovansky warned the Expo might have to raise fees. "We've been holding our finger in the dike," he said, referring directly to overdue maintenance at the grounds but indirectly to revenue shortfalls. Several so-called "user groups," including representatives from equestrian and dog clubs, urged the budget committee to approve the request. They reminded the committee of the wider economic benefit from shows, and that students in FFA and 4-H benefit in ways that can't be calculated on spreadsheets. "Tomorrow we will be in your place," said Garrett Wilkerson, a member of FFA. "Your support today means our support in the future." Their pleas appeared to find a receptive audience. All three commissioners -- Kupillas, Ric Holt and Jack Walker -- praised the students of FFA and 4-H as unlikely candidates to become juvenile delinquents. "It's very costly to lock people up," Kupillas said. "It's very cost-effective to invest in our youth." Many other county managers appeared before the budget committee Tuesday. The hearings will resume Thursday, with testimony from department heads like Library Director Ronnie Budge and Hank Collins of Health and Human Services. The proposed budget for fiscal year 1999-2000 is set at slightly more than $158 million. The current budget is $149 million. County officials attributed much of the increase on expanding eligibility for mental health services under the Oregon Health Plan as well as grants for extension of the main runway at the airport and a proposed juvenile detention center. Only a small portion of the county's budget -- $17.4 million -- comes from property taxes. The rest of the budget is derived from federal and state contracts, fees and licenses, transfers and carryovers, and O&C timber tax receipts. The O&C funds (roughly 50 percent of the county is "owned" by the federal government) continue to dwindle under a phase-out agreement that compensates Northwest counties for court-enforced logging restrictions. The county expects to collect a little more than $10 million next year -- down more than $2 million from 1994. The phase-out ends in 2004, and negotiations are under way for future compensation. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA