DARKE COUNTY – The Darke County Fairboard held its regularly scheduled meeting on June 4, 2026, at 7 p.m. All directors were in attendance. The meeting focused primarily on routine business and preparations for the upcoming fair season.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Kathleen Ditmer, an Agriculture Society member, offered suggestions regarding the board’s future handling of business. She noted that the current board has been dealt a “bum hand,” as many of the issues they are facing were created years before they became board members. However, she credited them for their current efforts to address those problems. Ditmer encouraged the board to continue correcting past issues, engage in more open discussions, and focus on transparency and honesty.
Representatives from the Junior Fair and 4-H programs reported that their programs are progressing as normal. Junior Fair will hold a work meeting on June 11 and invite board directors to attend and participate in the cookout. Directors were also invited to attend 4-H camp.
Caretaker Dave Jay was not present but provided a written report. President Marla Werner announced that Jay plans to retire following this year’s fair and the board will be posting that job opening. Jay will continue to provide mowing services after his retirement.
President Werner also announced the hiring of new office personnel to assist with event and contract coordination. Kristen Looper is set to begin on Monday.
Director Heidi May provided insight into the fairgrounds’ operational cost and expenses. She explained that while the increased contract fee was not looked upon favorably, the adjustments were necessary to keep pace with rising expenses. To illustrate this, she shared figures from the month of April. Contract income for the month totaled approximately $11,000, while the water and electric bills alone totaled roughly $8,000. Those figures do not take into account the labor costs and facility maintenance expenses. May expressed hope that sharing this would help overall understanding of the need for the changes.
The board approved expenditures for a used post driver ($400), a replacement water heater for the Youth Building ($1,579), and for critical electrical infrastructure repairs not to exceed $20,000.
President Werner addressed concerns regarding the restrooms near the rabbit barn. The board had discussed the possibility of demolishing the building at their May meeting and was met with pushback from Jr Fair participants. Werner explained that after hearing those concerns, the board contacted a plumber and identified a possible alternate solution. The board is currently obtaining estimates for an external water line that would reroute service around the leak, potentially making the repair significantly more affordable. Directors agreed to wait for a complete estimate before taking further action.
Director Perez reported that the racetrack sound system requires maintenance and that the board is working with its sound technician to address the issue.
Director Moore presented a request from Darke DD seeking a $500 donation to help provide community access to the fair. Following the discussion, the board approved the donation, noting that it aligns with current efforts to make the fair more inclusive and accessible for members of the Darke DD community.
The Fairboard’s legal counsel, Ted Finnarn, was on hand to discuss some recent records requests. Finnarn informed the board that those requests have been addressed and welcomed any questions. A community member requested clarification on how record requests are handled and was informed of the proper procedures and how to obtain copies of documents.
Director Yount informed the board of the passing of longtime fair supporter Nola Coning and took a moment to recognize her years of dedication and service to the fair. Nola worked at the Great Darke County Fair for 39 years, serving as the Secretary of the Swine Department, Secretary of the Fruit and Youth Vegetable Department, and was the Grand Marshall of the 2000 fair.
In new business, President Werner presented the updated fair candidate petitions. The revised petition was approved and will now be available to individuals interested in running for the Fairboard.
Public comment was also heard concerning the motion presented and defeated at the May meeting that would have placed limitations on candidates based on their standing with the current board. The Directors defended their decision to reject the proposal. Director Hicks explained that the board elections are up to the voting members of the Agriculture Society and it is not up to the board members to police who can seek a spot on the board. The Directors noted, however, that while they cannot prevent someone from running for a seat, all board members must follow the established code of conduct, and the Red Book provides procedures for removing board members who fail to comply.
Director Moore provided an update on the box seat procedures. The board has been working to update and condense the waiting list by removing duplicate entries and updating names and contact information. The board has mounted an extensive calling campaign to verify information. The deadline for current box seat holders is June 18. Once that deadline passes, the board will begin contacting individuals at the top of the waiting list to fill any available seats. The updated box seat list will soon be available to the public upon request.
Plans are also being finalized for the July 5th fireworks celebration.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2026, at 7 p.m.
