EDITORIAL:Council shouldn’t rush into State Fair funding plans

The legislature dropped a once-in-a-lifetime gift on Central Nebraska when it directed that the State Fair be moved to Grand Island. The process has been well-chronicled in the newspaper since last summer, when it was revealed that the University of Nebraska was seeking to use the current fairgrounds as a research park.

A contingent of Grand Island leaders accepted the challenge of working with the legislature to bring the annual event to Grand Island and Fonner Park. The legislative process picked  up steam in November and  December and it was made official in April.
Along the way, the mayor, Fonner Park officials and other representatives of the city were kept informed and agreed that the city could assume the role as host of the State Fair with a hefty assistance  from the state and the University. The lengthy debate in the legislature occured while the community leaders were feverishly trying to develop infrastructure plans, learn about fair management and programming issues, details of Fonner Park operations and dozens of other details that were swirling in the air.
The legislature first asked for $10 million commitment from the city. Local officials balked at that amount and eventually it  was agreed that $8.5 million could be committed to the project, with $2.5 million to $3 million in private contributions. The laudable goal was to do this without additional property taxes.

The local food and beverage operators have stepped up to the plate and offered to help with the financing of a city bond of $5 million. A tax of 1.5 percent to 2 percent on area food and beverage purchases, including fast food and sit-down restaurants, would be enacted. It would have a five-year “sunset” clause and would pay for the city’s obligation to the State Fair relocation. At this point there has been no resolution in front of the city council for any of this. The public has seen nothing to review or comment on. The concept was discussed at a study session, but details are yet foggy.

It is important to remember that there may be alternative forms of funding that have not been brought to the table, including delaying other city projects. There  may be partnerships or usage agreements with the school district. The council needs to be in a creative problem-solving mode of determining how to take advantage of the State Fair at the minimum cost to the taxpayers. A pause of several weeks to firm up details before council action is welcomed. There does need to be a sense of urgency in seeking information and options, but final decisions should not be rushed into recklessly.

Some residents are disgruntled that they were not allowed the opportunity to vote on the State Fair’s move to Grand Island. They feel the State Fair is a declining event and don’t want to see the Fair thrust on the city. They are right that the event has certainly struggled in the past. But this is a chance to reinvent the Fair to become a true celebration of agriculture and the Nebraska lifestyle. It will take an enormous amount of work to see the event succeed, but the community is certainly up to it.
As for local approval before committing to the move, the legislative process in Lincoln doesn’t provide for a delayed hand-wringing with extensive community debate. Area leaders were right to jump at the opportunity to bring Grand Island to the attention of the state legislature. The city needs a jolt of positive energy and the challenge to position itself on a bigger stage — the State Fair is that challenge.