WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS HEAR UPDATE ON WASHINGTON CO. FAIR

  

Washington County Commissioners were presented an update on the status of the Washington County Fair at their meeting this (Tuesday) morning.

Fair Manager Dean Fuchs discussed the measures being instituted at the Washington County Fairgrounds to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as the ways the fair is taking on more of a virtual approach.

Fuchs said the fair built its livestock show schedule this year on the numbers of species involved in order to spread shows out.  He said there may be instances of two species showing in a day, but they will be shown in different barns in different parts of the fairgrounds.  Some species will stay at the fairgrounds after the completion of their shows, with Fuchs saying it would not make sense for exhibitors to have to unload and reload livestock such as commercial heifers.

Fuchs said the fairgrounds will have “around the clock security”, and will lock the grounds at 10 p.m. every night.  The grounds will reopen on show days at 4 a.m. and on non-show days at 6 a.m.  He said, in addition to the added security, that this should cut down on traffic at night.

Fuchs said livestock shows and sales will be videoed and broadcasted by Cattle in Motion, which he called a nationally recognized videographer that hosts online sales.  He said this will allow families with medical concerns to watch their loved ones’ activities via the Cattle in Motion website—with additional streaming capabilities on Facebook—while also providing additional safety options.

 

According to Fuchs, animals will not be brought out to Silver Wings Ballroom for the auction, but “performance animals” such as colts and commercial heifers will be videoed so buyers can see them as they bid on them, whether that be online or in person.

Fuchs said the move of the sales to Silver Wings Ballroom was done in order to allow the setup of necessary video equipment, and also to allow for extra space.

 

New signage related to COVID-19 prevention has been ordered and will be placed around the fairgrounds.  In addition, Fuchs said the fair is partnering with Fort Bend County, trading additional signs for extra hand sanitizer.  He said the guidelines set in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for livestock shows will be followed.

Fuchs said the support from families and exhibitors has been “unbelievable”, adding that even amidst the COVID-19 scare, livestock entries are up and public interest in the event is “huge”.

Also in court, commissioners:

• Approved a speed limit reduction on a section of North Meyersville Road between Highway 105 and Wiesepape Road. The speed will be reduced from the unposted 60 mph standard to 35 mph.  Washington County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jay Petrash said there will be a grace period for travelers.
• Approved the purchase of four additional AeroClave room decontamination systems. County Judge John Durrenberger said before the purchase, one decontamination unit located at EMS Station #2 was shared among county facilities.  Units will now also be located at the Washington County Courthouse complex, which will also cover courthouse annex; the Washington County Jail; EMS Station #1, and the new Engineering and Development Services facility.  The purchase was made using $62,972 in CARES Act funds.
• Accepted and opened three sealed bids for Request for Proposals (RFP) for commissary and banking software for the Washington County Jail. Bids were received from Commissary Express, Lone Star Commissary, and Keefe Commissary Network.
• Approved a resolution selecting Strand Associates as the professional service provider for the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program administered through the Texas General Land Office.
• Approved job descriptions for the Washington County Fairgrounds Director and Fairgrounds Facility Maintenance Manager.
• Approved the purchase of a new website from Saffire for the Washington County Fairgrounds. Fairgrounds Director Harrison Williams said the new website will allow the Fairgrounds facility to brand itself differently from the Washington County Fair Association.  There is not a domain established yet for the new website, which Williams estimated would launch January 1, 2021, although he cautioned that the date is subject to change.
• Approved the two-year appointment of election judges, alternate judges, and tabulators for general and special elections.
• Heard monthly reports from several county offices and departments.