Office Hours
Wednesday & Friday: 9AM - 4PM
Phone
419-675-2396
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
6/3/26
Present: Judi Cronley, Jack McBride, Tyler Overly, Steve Harpster, Rob Wilson, Grant Mizek, PJ Noascono, Craig Decker, Nathan Weaver, Kirk Cameron, Amanda Raines, Sherri Beale, Randy Clark, Jami Dellifield, Tim Thomas, Wynn Hauenstein – Ada VFW, Frank Fraas – Executive Director, OHHA, Jim Bidwell, and 4 JR Fairboard members.
This meeting was supposed to be the June Board Meeting, but no quorum was met, so it was made into a Development Committee meeting.
Jack McBride called the meeting to order.
A check for $5000 was presented by Wynn Hauenstein from the Ada VFW for tornado damages and a check for $36,000 was presented by Frank Fraas, Executive Director of the OHHA for tornado damages. Milee Seabrook, representing the JR Fair Board presented a check for $1500 to offset damages to ribbons in the tornado. Milee then stated the JR Fairboard will be doing a community service project with flower pots to help make the 2026 fair look nice. She also talked about their board doing a Headstart program during the fair. Jim Bidwell was present to see if he was still needed for the shuttle committee. Sherri stated Dan Beale will get in touch with him.
$5,000 tornado donation from Wynn Hauenstein, Ada VFW 
$36,000 Tornado donation from Frank Fraas, Executive Director Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association
Amanda Raines spoke about the trophies for this year’s fair. She stated they have decided to switch companies d/t poor quality and poor customer service with their previous provided. They have decided to switch to Allen County Awards. She wanted to make sure that the Fair Board was still ok with this change, d/t the increase in cost. Members present gave her the OK to proceed. Amanda then went into length about not having a fair book done and the problems that are causing for the Extension Office. 4-H members use the fair book as a guide when knowing when entry deadlines are and are calling the office non stop, since they can’t locate an updated fair book to guide them. Jack understood their frustrations as he and several others are also frustrated with this problem.
Jack requested someone check with Quest about increasing our credit card limit again. He also stated there are missing chargers for the livestock wands. He needs help in looking for them or they will need to be purchased/replaced. Amanda and Kirk stated they will help in locating them.
Judi asked for approval to send Katie Mustain the photography agreement with a 10% increase in price. Members present said to go ahead and send.
Jack read an update from Jake for the meeting…
Bids are currently being received for the livestock building that are due June 8th. Commissioners approved Jeffery Billenstein to do a 30” tile from the east drive to the ditch. He will start that and complete it in June. Plans and getting costs figured out for the new Event Center are ongoing. He said it sounds like there will not be any state money for this project and the commissioners have asked the fairboard to finish out the office side and cover that cost. Dennis Hinton is setting 2 temporary poles on the south side of the machinery building to provide electric for camping and the fair. Jake has asked Kirk for tent pricing for the rabbits and machinery building. He’s working with Craig Decker on a plan for housing the rabbits since their shelving is gone. Might be a good work day project! Jake wanted to know if there should be extra space in a tent – where the machinery building was, for sitting… The county should start to see checks from insurance for the buildings. Jake has signed the insurance claim for contents and that check should be arriving soon. .We had claims for $67,914.92, with depreciation at $13,483.00 and we will receive a check for $46,391.92. Judi, Jack or Jake can explain why the numbers don’t line up. Insurance claims are weird! Cattlemen should receive a check for $2,542.40, Rotary $5,000 and JR Fair Board $3,071.20. There is a $5000 cap per item with the insurance.
Grants have been submitted to Ag. Credit and Farm Credit for the 2 utility sheds.
Rob stated the shop wall has been replaced and we are waiting on the garage door to be installed. The Horse arena fence has been torn down and we are waiting for the new fence to be installed. Waiting for the Announcer stand in the infield to be built, too. The roof to the grandstand has been replaced. Randy’s garage has been torn down, now waiting for the new 3 car garage to be built. A fire hydrant had to be replaced on the grounds – not Tornado related. The Goshen barn was repaired by Jerry McBride. Lester Miller and crew will be fixing the east end of the machinery building. A new bleacher and replacement parts for the damaged bleachers will be arriving soon.
Goat and Sheep Weigh in will take place next Thursday, June 11th from 5-8pm.
Judi announced Senator McColley’s office called Jake and stated the Hardin County Fair is being added to the capital budget for 750K. That will help in building another barn.
Jake told Judi a Development Committee meeting will be scheduled for next week, not June 15th. And the next regular board meeting is set for Wednesday, July 8th at 7pm with Committees meeting with JR Fair Board members at 6pm in the Community Building.