‘It ain’t done yet!’

    As work on the pavilion at the fairgrounds continues, Phillips County has come up with a wry new motto for the project — “It ain’t done yet!” — which was announced at the Phillips County Board of Commissioners meeting July 31.
    The board reported that the County applied for a $20,000 competitive U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, which would go toward installing four large fans inside the structure.
    The grant application was submitted July 12. The USDA has not provided a deadline for a response.
    Commissioners are also soliciting individual donations to offset the cost of the facility. Donors will be eligible for a 25 percent state tax credit because of the project’s enterprise zone approval.
    Cash and bushels of grain are being accepted for donation. Donors may also contribute to the cost of purchasing a livestock pen, and corporate donors interested in adding their name to the brand wall may contact the board or the administration office for more information.
    The board approved two change orders for the pavilion electrical contract. The first was $5,256 for additional lights and pendants, and the second was $12,750 for exterior lighting.
    Funds are also being solicited for a new electronic informational sign to be installed at the fairgrounds, next to the highway. Commissioners met with Todd Jelle of TJ Designs regarding the project, and Jelle agreed to provide a quote.
    The board is developing a fee structure for use of the pavilion. The first reservation of the building has been scheduled for Sept. 11 by Rick Haynes.
    
Board thanks fair helpers
    The board recognized the Junior Livestock Committee, fair board and county maintenance crew for setting up livestock pens prior to the Phillips County Fair at the July 31 meeting.
    They also acknowledged project manager Matt Brasby, road manager Mike Salyards, Dan Waln, and the road and bridge crew for helping to prepare the pavilion.
    Commissioners oversaw the final setup of the pavilion prior to the fair. Cattle ties, horse stalls, the show ring and the arena arrived July 13, and hog and sheep pens arrived July 23.
    
County resolves fuel tank issue
    In response to an inquiry, the County reported that they were fined $50 by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Oil and Public Safety for being unable to provide March-July records for an underground fuel tank in Haxtun.
    County Administrator Randy Schafer said that a faulty sensor interfered with the collection of filling and usage data, which prevented the Road and Bridge Department from submitting the records.
    He added that the County has been in contact with the division since being notified of the violation and that the sensor has been repaired.
    
Other business
    In other July business, the board:
    — Approved hiring April Dirks as a part-time employee at the Extension office during the fair.
    — Met with Melissa Memorial Hospital CEO Trampas Hutches, Holyoke EMS Director Brady Ring and Heather Cloward to hear a report on the Holyoke ambulance service, which appears to have improved substantially between 2016 and 2017.
    — Approved a bid of $5,513.35 each for two split mini air conditioning units from Sullivan’s Appliance to be installed in the assessor’s and treasurer’s offices.
    — Visited and checked the progress of the new Sprague swine nursery facility northeast of Holyoke.