With additional funds becoming available to the Sheriff’s Department, the Gasconade County Fair Board is requesting county government provide funds needed to finance security at the annual event.

Fair Board President Nick Baxter Thursday morning outlined the board’s request during the County Commission session held in Owensville City Hall. Considered one of the safest fair’s in the region — Sheriff Scott Eiler noted that there were no incidents at this year’s version — Baxter is asking the county to include $14,650 in the 2023 operating budget for the sheriff’s agency to help ease the pressure on Fair officials who produce a four-day event that attracts large crowds from throughout the region. That was the cost for providing security by the Fair’s security detail, as well as the use of some outside agency law enforcement personnel.

In making his case to the Commission, Baxter — a former presiding commissioner — explained that the Fair is “active in the county all year around,” noting that it provides scholarships to students of both Gasconade County R-1 and R-2 schools. The fairgrounds, he added, are used by several organizations, including 4-H groups, Cub Scouts and they serve as a site for Chronic Wasting Disease testing during deer season by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Fair Board, like other organizations, have been victim of rising prices recently. 

“We’ve been hit with tremendously high charges in the last few years,” he said. Baxter noted that in the last three years, the cost for booking a carnival company has risen from just under $30,000 to $40,000 this year. It’s expected that contracting for a carnival next year will cost significantly more, he said, explaining that other Midway operators this year were charging about $48,000 and that the Fair Board was able to negotiate a lower cost for this year.

With the rising cost of booking top-name entertainment, the amount spent on security becomes more significant, Baxter said.

“That’s a major expense,” he said. “We’re hoping for the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Department to pick up security for the Fair.”

Eiler said he’s “willing to work with the Fair Board” and added that “if we decide to pick up (coverage), how do we figure out how we’re going to pay” for the use of outside agency personnel.

The fairgrounds are owned by the city of Owensville, which has granted the Fair Board a 99-year lease on the site; the lease has been in place for nine years.

Having Owensville Police Department provide security isn’t practical, Mayor John Kamler, a former member of the Fair Board, told the Commission. “We’re willing to work” with Fair officials, he said. But, he noted, “I can tell you why we don’t do it: We don’t have enough officers.”

Baxter said that the effects of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., in 2001 reached all the way to the Gasconade County Fair.

“We have to worry about terrorists. A bombing in New York City caused all of us out here to do something we would never have done,” he said, referring to having increased law enforcement personnel on the fairgrounds.

The Fair Board president said the security personnel helps parents feel better about their children attending the event. “Parents definitely want to know their kids are safe at the Fair,” he said.

Eiler said the Fair has earned a reputation for providing a safe environment. “For the large crowds that come to the Fair, I’d say we’re one of the safest fairs around,” he said.

The half-cent sales tax for law enforcement that was approved by voters in April became effective Oct. 1 with the first reimbursement check from the Missouri Department of Revenue, which collects the tax, received this month. It was miniscule in the amount, which will increase with the start of the new year. The tax is estimated to generate about $1 million a year. The amount generated will be divided between county government and five of the county’s six municipalities on a 75 percent-25 percent basis with the 25-percent portion being distributed according to a municipality’s population.

Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore, R-Owensville, said the Commission would discuss the Fair Board’s proposal as part of its upcoming 2023 budget process.

“We’ll talk about it,” Lairmore said.

Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel, R-Hermann, said the Commission needs a formal request. “Present us with a proposal. Work something out and bring it to us,” he said.

Gasconade County Clerk Lesa Lietzow and her staff will begin working in earnest on the new budget this month as final revenue and expense figures for this year become clearer. The Commission will put the finishing touches on the county clerk’s proposed budget during January with approval of the new spending plan expected by the end of January.

Gasconade County Commisssion members are scheduled to return to session at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in their first-floor meeting room at the courthouse in Hermann. The meeting is open to the public.