By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
Rowan County Commissioners are expected to approve a three-year lease of the county fairgrounds to The Rowan County Fair Association at their meeting Monday night.
A committee made up of commissioners and Fair Association representatives met earlier this month to work out the details. Approval will end a nearly year-long controversy which began last February when commissioners said they would not give a long-term extension on the Julian Road property because of its potential for retail or other business use.
The Fair Association, a joint organization of the Faith and Spencer Jaycees, had leased the property for 50 years at $1 per year.
The new contract will give the association usage of the fairgrounds for September each year through 2010.
The Fair Association will pay 20 percent of all admission receipts with a guarantee of $25,000 per year. The association will pay $60,000 in advance upon execution of the agreement.
The lease agreement also covers the possibility that the county may sell the fairgrounds and find another site. The agreement specifies that the lease is good at the current site or another similar site.
The Fair Association agrees to carry $1 million in liability insurance to cover food vendors and operations. The association will carry a minimum of $10 million for events including rides, demolition derbies and potentially dangerous attractions.
The county agrees to provide the facilities in reasonable condition and reimburse the Fair Association for any emergency repairs that might be required.
The Fair Association also agrees to perform a comprehensive criminal background investigation on all offers and members of the Fair Association Board of Directors. The association also agrees to do a North Carolina criminal record check on other individuals and to make a “best effort” to have checks done on all persons under control of the association.
The association also agrees to provide additional restrooms during fair week. The county will provide paper products for all restrooms and provide personnel to maintain and clean the facilities.
In other matters, the board will hear information or act as follows:
– Conduct a public hearing on proposed financing for the Justice Center project which includes additional courtrooms and completion of a pod in the Detention Center.
The county will borrow $3.8 million for seven years. RBC Centura submitted the lowest interest rate at 2.91 percent.
– Discuss plans for the retreat set for Feb. 27-29.
Commissioners have submitted an extensive list of potential topics, ranging from the future direction of the school system to looking at doing farmland preservation without spending tax dollars.Among other topics is looking at the possibility of using a local transfer tax or sales tax as a revenue stream for capital improvements.
– Discuss and possibly vote on a rezoning and conditional use permit for three acres on Sherrills Ford Road.
Nelson Lingle wants to build mini-warehouses on the site.
During a public hearing on Nov. 5, several neighbors spoke in opposition. Last month, officials indicated the matter would likely not come back for a vote.
– Discuss a proposed standard agreement that would be used for future incentive grants. The agreement doesn’t affect the county’s current policy on incentives.
– Hold a closed session to discuss applications for the county manager vacancy and to discuss Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium with the board’s attorney.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Meeting Room, County Administrative Offices Building, 130 W. Innes St.