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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Perking up the Ashland Plaza Mail Tribune 100 Since You Asked: Stewart Meadows driving range days are numbered Woman given 60 doses of antivenom for rattlesnake bite Business mural gets a reprieve Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Dad admits to endangering children by failing to secure loaded gun No cause determined in fire that destroyed historic house Semi carrying glass bottles crashes Rogue River Drive fire 50 percent contained Emergency Services Politics and Elections Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Medford eyes electronic sign visual pollution Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Education A test of mettle: GED tests are more rigorous Middle schoolers get a taste of college living Abraham Lincoln Elementary parents raise money for new playground State treasurer stumps for educational endowment measure Free meals program expands in Grants Pass Environment Stressed but off life support Rogue watershed councils plan to merge West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes collected near Central Point State news Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Clarence "C.A" A. 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Every year, it comes up short, requiring $185,000 for building maintenance and sometimes a short-term loan to meet expenses. By Damian Mann MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Posted Dec. 16, 2010 @ 12:01 am Updated Dec 16, 2010 at 2:50 AM By Damian Mann Posted Dec. 16, 2010 @ 12:01 am Updated Dec 16, 2010 at 2:50 AM » Social News Every year, Jackson County officials expect the Expo to be financially self-sufficient. Every year, it comes up short, requiring $185,000 for building maintenance and sometimes a short-term loan to meet expenses. County leaders, who are starting their annual budget reviews, say that must end and the Expo — which operates the county's fairgrounds — must live within its own means and not tap into the general fund for extra dollars. While the county has for years expected the Expo, along with operations such as the airport and county parks, to pay its own way, the Expo has occasionally requested loans of more than $100,000 to pay for operating expenses. "To me, it's always been ridiculous," Commissioner Jack Walker said. "Things have come to a head to a certain degree." Now, the Board of Commissioners is considering a possible shakeup on the Fair Board, looking to bring in new blood to get the Expo on an even financial keel. "I think it would be fair to say that we are probably looking at some changes at some point," said Commissioner C.W. Smith. He said Jackson County has long been concerned about the fair and its deficits, although he added that the Expo appears to be headed in a more sound direction lately. Dave Koellermeier, who became Expo director on June 1, said he agrees with county officials that the Expo needs to be more financially self-sufficient. "I think the solvency of fairs is a reality that everyone will have to take on," he said. Koellermeier succeeded Chris Borovansky, who departed to become director of the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock, Calif. He said he took the job with the understanding that he needs to turn the corner on the Expo's financial situation. "The pressure is real," he said "That is largely why I took the opportunity." Harvey Bragg, deputy county administrator, said the issues for the Expo were evident this fiscal year in a beginning fund balance of only $1,800 as part of an annual budget of just less than $1.9 million. So little in cash reserves, Bragg said, might mean the county will have to loan the Expo money to pay salaries before the fiscal year is over. "They're still in the black, but just barely," he said. The county would like to see the Expo have a beginning fund balance of about $300,000, Bragg said, which would provide a sufficient financial cushion to handle cash flow problems. "We would like to see them with at least two months of operating reserves so that they could be fiscally independent," he said. Bragg said the Expo should have enough operating money on hand to cover all its expenses. "It would be great for them to get to the point of maintaining their own facilities," he said. Despite the concerns, the Expo has generally been in better financial shape this decade than in the 1990s. In the fiscal year starting in 2000, the Expo required a $127,000 loan to meet expenses. In 2009-10, the Expo had a $182,000 beginning cash balance. Jackson County commissioners had to come to the aid of the Expo in 2004, when $1.7 million was needed to finish the Lithia Amphitheater. The grant agreement, which involved a loan and the potential sale of Expo property, is still on the county books and hasn't been paid down. Bragg will meet with the Fair Board at 6 p.m. at the Padgham Pavilion to discuss budget issues. Specifically, county officials want to make sure Fair Board members understand budget law. In the past, the Expo brought in more money than was anticipated in its budget. The Expo then spent the money without following a supplemental budget process required by law. "I'm not sure they have a clear picture what the budget law means," Bragg said. "We need to bridge that communication gap." Koellermeier, a former manager of the Oregon State Fair, said he is very familiar with state budget law. The Expo hired Thad Keays two months ago as its chief financial officer to help provide a clearer budget picture and help plan for the future, Koellermeier said. Koellermeier described the current budget of the fairgrounds as about 90 percent of what it should be. "My vision here is this ought to be financially sustainable," he said. "We are so close." Bob Smith, president of the Fair Board, said he is aware of the pressures to be financially self-sufficient. He said it has been particularly difficult for the Expo because the poor economy has reduced commercial rentals, sponsorships and gate receipts. "The last couple of years have resulted in tighter budget situations," he said. Other county fairs in the state receive additional revenues through hotel and motel taxes, while some get additional support from their counties, he said. He said it is not uncommon for the Expo to ask the county for additional dollars in May to make preparations for the summer fair. Smith said he is not opposed to the county changing the makeup of the fair board, which consists of unpaid volunteers. The terms for two board members will come up at the end of December. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or e-mail [email protected]. By Damian Mann MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Posted Dec. 16, 2010 @ 12:01 am Updated Dec 16, 2010 at 2:50 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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