Show barn improvements okayed

By Melinda L. Lucas

Representatives of the Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association were at commissioners court on Monday, April 24 to propose extensive improvements and additions to the county-owned show barn, with estimates falling in the $150,000 to $200,000 range.

Chris Edgar, Bronco Askew, and Reggie Spencer outlined the association’s plans for the facility, which is used mainly for the annual county stock show in January, as well as a major fundraising pig sale in the fall.

The proposal includes pouring concrete to replace much of the dirt floor, new insulation, two new roll-up doors on the south side, and new pens, as well as roofing repairs and improvements to the concession area.

“Concrete has gone up $8,000 since we first asked for a bid last August,” Edgar said.

Mike Parsons noted that the association has raised money for renovations to the barn in the past, along with the addition of the cattle area and restrooms, and he has already started looking for funding for this proposal.

“The county was not out any major expense for those projects, and we should be able to raise most of this through foundations and private donations, but it makes it easier to go to these donors when they know the county is committed,” Parsons said. “I’m here to solicit $20,000 overall or $5,000 from each precinct.”

He added that all the donations need to be funneled through the county so that the contributions will be tax deductible, especially since the barn is owned by the county.

County treasurer Tammy Brown commented that there is already a line item in the budget for barn improvements, and she doesn’t see a problem with passing the money through the county budget.

“We want to be as transparent as possible, and this way, it will go through your audit process,” Parsons said.

Commissioner Lanham Martin made a motion to allow the association to move forward with fundraisers and plans to improve the show barn, which passed unanimously.

He made a separate motion that donations be designated for the show barn and that the county will act as a clearinghouse for the donated monies. That motion also passed unanimously.

“At the end of our budget year, we can move money from precincts or the general fund,” Martin said. “Tammy can check on the options.”

Action on a county donation was tabled until a later date.

“We appreciate the association’s energy and commitment to this project,” said county judge John Viertel.

More information will be available in an article in next week’s Albany News.

Other Business

•At the end of Monday’s meeting, Viertel signed a document proclaiming the week of April 30 to May 7 as Soil & Water Stewardship Week, a request by the Lower Clear Fork of the Brazos Soil & Water Conservation District to remind county citizens “to help conserve these precious resources.”

•A motion passed to explore dates for the removal of unnecessary attachments to the county’s communications tower and to authorize the judge to look for possible service companies to remove them.

•Sheriff Ed Miller’s budget adjustment request to move $10,000 from salaries to overtime because of employee shortages was approved.