GREENVILLE—The Darke County Agricultural Society met for a special meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the possibility of refunding donations with their legal counsel. Director Jason Manning was absent, ten members were present.
After approving multiple miscellaneous items, the board quickly moved into executive session to discuss fundraiser refunds.
This topic was brought up at last week’s meeting.
While taking comment from the public last week, the board heard from Tri-Village junior Regan Brewer regarding her donation to the construction of a new swine barn.
Brewer, Country Kids 4-H Club member, pledged half of her winning Grand Champion Market Hog sale to the construction of a new swine barn.
She presented the board with a check for $1,600 in December 2019.
“Since then, a lot has happened,” she said last week. “The fair board has a made a decision to go in a different direction with the funds pledged during that campaign. I don’t fully understand all of the decisions that were made, but I do understand that I gave money for a specific purpose and that it is no longer the plan to spend the money I earned toward a new swine barn.”
Brewer asked then board to refund her donation, so that she can put the $1,600 toward her college education.
Vice President Jim Zumbrink, who led Wednesday’s meeting in Pearson’s absence, told her the board would like to consult with their legal counsel on next steps regarding the refund.
The board then passed a motion to add Brewer to the next meeting’s agenda.
At this evening’s special meeting, after about an hour and a half of executive session, the board came out with a motion on the table.
“I’d like to make a motion that we have a formal submission for request of five individuals to have their fundraiser money returned,” Treasurer Marla Werner said. “I move that we grant them.”
The motion passed. Director Curtis Yount was the only member to oppose.
President Greg Pearson said they are unable to release the refunded amount, or donors at this time.
The Great Darke County Fair is Friday Aug. 18, 2023 to Saturday, Aug. 26. Due to its close timing, the board is starting two meetings a month.
The next meeting is Wednesday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m.
The Darke County Fair Board meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at 800 Sweitzer St., Greenville, Ohio, 45331, in the meeting room across from the fair office. For more information, contact the fair office at 937-548-5044.
