Chieftain prepares us Colorado's budget for RC

[Alexa]

The 'Fair board approves mission statement and budget during monthly meeting' article says:

 

A mission statement and a 2017 budget were among the items approved by the Colorado State Fair Authority Board during its regular meeting Wednesday in Pueblo.

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Sarah Cummings

 

 

 

 

As prepared by Fair General Manager Sarah Cummings and Lea Cassidy, accounting supervisor, the budget for the ’17 fiscal year is balanced, with $9,281,000 in both revenues and expenses.

The board learned that the revenues include anticipated gate admissions of $1,080,000, carnival intake of $725,000 and $1.2 million in commercial space occupied by exhibitors. Contributions from both the city of Pueblo ($125,000) and the county ($175,000) are budgeted to remain the same.

The figures for gate admissions, carnival intake, commercial space and other line items are estimates based on past years’ numbers, with no significant change.

The budget does boast $750,000 in new money appropriated at the state level and $300,000 in marijuana sales tax proceeds.

Among the expenses, the largest line item is for personnel costs ($2,534,751) and personnel services ($1,931,455).

Part of a five-year operational plan to be submitted to the state audit office is a mission statement, which after some tweaking was given the green light by the board.

It was deemed that the Fair’s mission is to “create an entertaining, inspiring and educational inter-generational experience highlighting the preservation, promotion and exposition of our state’s vibrant and diverse agriculture, industry and culture.”

In other matters, Cummings was given the OK to proceed with renewal of contracts with Romeo Entertainment Group, which books the Fair’s performers, and the marketing group The Media Center, in light of a June 30, 2017, expiration date for both agreements.

The 2016 expo’s entertainment lineup has been booked with the exception of one act still awaiting confirmation, for the Sept. 3 show in the Southwest Motors Events Center.

Cummings also informed the board that $300,000 issued by the state has been used to make improvements in the horseman’s arena and the livestock pavilion. Recent events held there generated a positive response regarding the upgrades.

Also, the recent Rocky Mountain Street Rods Nationals Plus event attracted nearly 2,100 participants to the Fairgrounds, an uptick over recent years. Cummings said event organizers “were very pleased with the facility, pleased with how we can accommodate their needs. Hopefully, we can grow together.”

And a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention saw 5,000 people attend and utilize much of the Fairgrounds.

Upcoming is the Pueblo County Fair, set to begin near the end of July. In an effort to grow the fair, organizers have added a concert to the schedule.

Also announced was the hiring of Patricia Fernandez, who will replace Deborah Wallace as the Fair’s general entry and fine arts coordinator.

END