Junior Livestock Fees Waived This Year But Next Year County To Begin Charging Standard Rate For Annual Show
A youth group has reached an accord with Spokane County government that ensures the survival of the longest-running livestock show west of the Mississippi.
For now, anyway.
The Junior Livestock Show of Spokane will go on as planned May 4-7 after its organizers cut a deal with the county parks department.
For 60 years, sympathetic county managers gave 4-H members and Future Farmers of America the Interstate Fairgrounds rent-free in under-the-table arrangements.
But county commissioners, armed with a legal opinion that states such a practice constitutes illegal gifting of tax dollars, have instituted a new policy. All groups, non-profit as well as youth organizations, must pay something for use of the fairgrounds.
Starting next year, the rate for youth groups will be 50 percent of typical rental fees. This year it was to be 25 percent - or $9,000 for the livestock show.
The county has agreed to waive that, however, because of the short notice and the fact the show will draw an estimated $11,000 in fairgrounds camping fees - money the county otherwise wouldn’t get.
The show always has paid from $2,500 to $3,000 in janitorial and security fees.
Next year, the show’s rental tab will be about $18,000 - money organizers say they can’t raise.
Clyde Haase, chairman of the county’s fair advisory board, defends the commission’s action.
“Shouldn’t we be responsive to the whole community rather than to a special interest?” he asked.
Show organizers downplayed the squabble Wednesday, but earlier this week turned to high-powered supporters for help.
A letter to state Sen. Eugene Prince, R-Thornton, a former 4-H member, reads: “Our show meets the criteria which are aimed at ‘youth at risk,’ and yet we do not seem to be considered by the Spokane County commissioners as any more than a few farm kids who come to town with a pig or two.”
It was signed by Treva Norris, business manager for the livestock show.
She noted in the letter that last year’s show drew 700 kids from throughout Eastern Washington and their families - an economic boon to Spokane County.
Norris refused to discuss the controversy Wednesday for fear of alienating county commissioners and managers.
Show supporter John Schultheis, a state Court of Appeals judge in Spokane, said no one can put a price tag on an event that teaches good citizenship.
Schultheis said he’s never seen a 4-H member or Future Farmer of America in his courtroom as a defendant.
Added lawmaker Prince: “These people don’t have the money to pay this high rent they’re asking for. This is a real asset for Spokane. If they’re forced out, I don’t think that serves the commissioners or anybody very well.”
County officials said previous administrations and fair advisory boards apparently looked the other way by not charging the livestock show.
“Legally, we have no choice,” said commission Chairman Phil Harris. “We don’t have the authority to let them use it free.”
Several other fairgrounds, such as Yakima County’s, charge youth groups the same rental fees as other organizations.
“I think the commissioners are trying to make sense of how we allocate public resources to folks on an equitable basis,” said Spokane County fair manager Paul Gillingham. “There’s no wish to hurt anybody or be arbitrary.”
Added Fran Boxer, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer: “We have bent over backwards to work with these youth groups.”
Last year, the county waived $32,000 in rental fees to youth organizations, she said. Much of it was for the livestock show.
Norris stated in her letter to Prince that the show will turn to corporate sponsors for financial help.
Fair board chairman Haase said that’s a good idea. When his children were in the University High School band, they had to help raise thousands of dollars in donations.
“I’m sorry folks, the dollar has a major impact,” Haase said. “Public money is not out there. It’s great if we can give it away, but it doesn’t last.”
, DataTimes