Finance Committee Recommends $30,000 for Fairgrounds Electrical Upgrades

December 2025 Committee Meeting

Article Summary: The Montgomery County Finance and Budget Committee voted to recommend a $30,000 donation to the Montgomery County Fair Board to assist with critical electrical repairs. The amount is less than half of the original $67,700 requested by fair officials to address safety and power issues.

Fair Funding Key Points:

• The Request: Fair Board representatives requested $67,700 to upgrade substandard electrical service that currently requires the use of generators.

• The Outcome: The committee voted to recommend a $30,000 donation from Coal Fund 375.

• Grant Ineligibility: The Fair Board reported they were ineligible for DCEO grants because they do not receive county tax funds.

• Timeline: The upgrades are needed before the 2026 fair, scheduled for June 24-28.

The Finance and Budget Committee met on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and recommended a partial funding solution for urgent electrical upgrades at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

Bev Seamon, representing the Montgomery County Fair Board, appeared alongside board members Marti Benning and LeEllen Watson to request $67,700. Seamon explained that the electric service at the fairgrounds is in “substandard shape,” forcing the organization to rely on several generators provided by the EMA during the 2025 county fair.

Seamon noted that the Fair Board had applied for DCEO grant funds but learned they were ineligible because the fair is a self-sustaining entity that does not receive county tax revenue. Consequently, the board has launched fundraising efforts, including a gun raffle, and sought help from the Farm Bureau. However, board members acknowledged that fundraising alone would likely not cover the costs before the 2026 fair begins in June.

While acknowledging the need, the committee stopped short of funding the full request. A motion by committee member Evan Young, seconded by Chris Daniels, recommended donating $30,000 from Coal Fund 375 to the Fair Board for the electrical work. The motion passed unanimously.

Finance and Budget Committee News Briefs:

• Sheriff’s Office Spending: The committee approved several expenditures from Coal Fund 375 for the Sheriff’s Office, including $24,868.71 to Motorola Solutions for body camera storage, $9,891 to GTSi for squad car equipment, and $7,936.68 for a Power DMS subscription.

• Mileage Rate Increase: Following the IRS update, the committee voted to increase the Montgomery County business standard mileage reimbursement rate to 72.5 cents per mile, effective Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

• Elected Official Salaries: The committee began discussions on setting salaries for elected officials for the next term. Salaries must be set at least 180 days before the General Election. The discussion will continue next month when the Circuit Clerk provides further details.

• Coal Rights Transfer: The committee voted to recommend transferring two coal rights parcels from the trustee sale.