Commission votes to reduce Fair Board size; Fair Board to discuss Thursday

(Lander, WY) – The Fremont County Commission voted Tuesday to reduce the Fremont County Fair Board’s membership from seven to five, effective Jan. 1.

The decision came after a closed-door executive session regarding potential litigation and personnel.

The Commission did not discuss the reduction proposal before voting on it.

Afterward, however, they also voted to send the Fair Board a letter “outlining a better way to approach personnel practices, especially relative to their current situation with their director,” according to the motion from Commissioner Mike Jones.

Jones’ motion also included a request to the Fair Board “not to take any further action until we can meet with them face-to-face.” 

Later that day, Fair Board Vice Chair Nikki Horton posted about the vote on her personal Facebook page, asking community members to reach out to the Commission to request a “re-vote to keep the Fair Board at seven seats.”

“If you have been present at the Fair the last few years, you know that the Fair Board puts in an extraordinary amount of hours during and before the Fair and it takes ALL OF US,” Horton wrote in the post that went on to be widely shared on the social media site. “This decision is going to put a massive burden on the Board and will be difficult to navigate in terms of how our tasks will be reallocated to fewer members. 

“This Board loves the Fair and wants it to be the best it can be; however, this decision by the County Commissioners is going to make our already heavy responsibilities substantially greater.”

The Fair Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Heritage Hall at the Fremont County Fairgrounds in Riverton.

The agenda for the meeting includes a new business item regarding the reduction of board members from seven to five. 

County 10 plans to attend the meeting and will provide follow-up reporting afterward.