Bradford County commissioners reached a consensus during the July 1 budget workshop to include $135,000 in next year’s budget to help launch a county-run recreation program and to reallocate an existing $15,000 outside‑organizations line item to the new effort.

The county purchased the fairgrounds earlier in the fiscal year; commissioners and county staff said the property will require short‑term operating funds for insurance, utilities and personnel while a volunteer and events program is developed. Amanda, county staff, told the board the county has already added property insurance for the fair buildings to the county policy and estimated liability and other operating costs at approximately $20,000 annually.

Why it matters: commissioners said the recreation effort is intended to become self‑sustaining and that the requested funds would provide two years of startup support while organizers seek events, vendors and community contributions. Commissioners expressed a preference for hiring a fair/recreation manager as an independent contractor (Form 1099) rather than a county employee to limit long‑term county payroll commitments during the startup period.

Key points and direction: the board asked the fair’s executive group to return with a recruitment plan, job description and measurable revenue targets. Commissioners and fair representatives signaled agreement on a manager salary range of $75,000–$90,000 (discussion noted this would be negotiated and tied to performance metrics). The board also directed staff to include a placeholder for the manager and the $135,000 start‑up allocation in the tentative FY2025–26 budget so it can be formally considered at the August tentative‑budget hearing.

Taper: Several commissioners stressed the allocation is conditional: if future revenue streams or state/federal appropriations change, the board said it would revisit the commitment. The board asked staff and the fair executive committee to return with a clearer financial picture and a timeline for moving the fairgrounds toward self‑sufficiency.