News file photo of the Alpena County Fairgrounds.

ALPENA — Alpena County Commissioners look ahead to the future of the fairgrounds and how the county will fund the needed repairs. Commissioners and county officials say that the price tag is dependent on a pending inspection.

County Commissioner Todd Britton, who sits on the Facilities, Capital, and Strategic Planning Committee, said that the county is still searching for a company to do a full inspection of the fairgrounds to determine what the repairs will cost the county.

“Something needs to happen,” Britton said.

Britton stated that the grandstands are the “biggest ticket item,” likely requiring the most work. However, he said that the county will not know how much improvements to the grandstands will cost until the inspection is completed.

Apart from future costs of repairs, Britton also said that the fairgrounds have historically been “not a money maker.”

He added that lack of maintenance over the lifespan of the fairgrounds has contributed to its current state.

“You build things and then you have to take care of them,” he said. “We had no maintenance plan.”

He explained that the fairgrounds power bill “alone is pretty stiff.”

In May, Nick Akins, maintenance superintendent, told The News that the power bill demand factor for the fairgrounds property is $2,000 each month. That is to accommodate peak periods of power usage, which includes fair time.

To fund repairs, Britton said that there has not been any decision made as to how future repairs, indicated from a property inspection, would be funded. He mentioned in 2028 the county’s current contract with Ameresco is up, which would free up some funds.

Ameresco, a company which claims to improve energy efficiency in facilities, was paid with bonds by the county to increase savings for the municipality in 2012.

County Board Chairman John Kozlowski explained that the discussion of a millage to support the fairboard is not off the table but he would not necessarily be in support of that option.

“I’m one of seven commissioners,” he said. “My thoughts are not necessarily what the other commissioners think.”

“I would probably not support a millage,” he added. “What I’ve heard from the taxpayers … the majority would not support a millage. I don’t think the average person is going to support that. They are tapped out on taxes and paying more than ever.”

Vice Chair Brenda Fournier also said that she would not be in support of a fairgrounds millage because of public opinion and fear that community members are being over taxed.

“There are so many millages and it’s getting to the point that people are turning down the millages because they can’t afford it,” she said.

Kozlowski explained that suggestions from the community to funnel revenue from fairgrounds camping and storage back into the fairgrounds for repairs is a challenge because those revenue streams do not bring in enough to make a profit.

“Unfortunely, if you look at the revenue and expenses .. the campground is not making a ton of money,” he said. “It’s not going to be an answer to our problems.”

Kozlowski explained that there needs to be more revenue streams to make the fairgrounds a financially healthy property.

“How are we going to reinvest when there is no revenue?” he asked.

He explained that the fairgrounds needs to bring in more money than just hosting events a few times a year.

Some community members have also questioned why the county has made improvements or invested in county owned campgrounds such as Long Lake, Beaver Lake, and Sunken Lake parks.

Kozlowski said that county managed campgrounds are managed by the Parks Commission and not supported by the county’s general fund. He added that revenue Long Lake Park has historically been “the one that carries” the other parks.

The campgrounds have also utilized some youth and recreation money to make improvements.

“What are we going to do through the Parks Commission?” Kozlowski asked. “The fairgrounds are barely breaking even or is below water.”

He said that it would not make sense to place the fairgrounds under the Parks Commission, as parks that bring in higher revenue streams would have to likewise carry the fairgrounds in that scenario.

“We are not going to take money from Parks and redirect to the fairgrounds,” Kozlowski added. “I don’t feel comfortable doing that.”

Kozlowski also noted that the fairgrounds are supported by the county general fund and the county campgrounds are not.

Britton also said that the county owned campgrounds are “more self-sufficient than the fairgrounds,” allowing for more money to be re-invested into those properties.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.