Linn County Expo Center Manager Kris Barnes told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday, Feb. 21, that the center is rebounding from its COVID-19 slowdown.
Commissioner Will Tucker was present while Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger participated by phone. Commissioner Roger Nyquist was absent.
According to Barnes, the Expo Center took in more than $110,000 in January, with personnel costs at $47,000. Materials and supplies totaled $52,010, which included wages for temporary help.
The operation is down two staff positions, operations work and operations/events manager. The operations and marketing manager positions are on hold.
Barnes outlined the center’s March calendar, which he described as robust. Events for the month include the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Archery Contest (March 3-4); Albany Rifle & Pistol Club Gun Show (March 4-5); Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo (March 10-11); Oregon Woodturning Symposium (March 17-19); and the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo (March 24-26).
Barnes noted in his written report that as an example of upward trends, the annual Mid-Winter Square Dance Festival saw dwindling participation and was canceled in 2020 and 2021. However, this year’s event in January enjoyed its highest attendance in five years.
In other business, the commissioners:
— Approved accelerating the foreclosure process on a Lebanon property posing a danger to neighboring homes. It has experienced unrepaired fire damage and its yard is filled with debris and bushes. Property taxes are five years in arrears and Assessor/Tax Collector Andy Stevens said his office has sent more than a dozen letters with no response.
Commissioner Sprenger said she would support the effort, but only if every attempt was made to “make this right.” Stevens said a public hearing will be held at the commissioners’ March 28 meeting before any further action is taken. If the property is foreclosed upon, the county will clean it, much like it did earlier this winter at another derelict Lebanon property.
— Were told by Linn County Health Officer Dr. William Muth of 50 births (18 boys and 32 girls) in January and 135 deaths. Two children under one year of age died from respiratory failure and sudden infant death syndrome. Four people more than 100 years old succumbed to fracture, stroke, abnormal heartbeat and natural causes.
— Learned from Environmental Department Manager Shane Sanderson that wet soil conditions made January a slow month for inspection. However, his staff inspected 66 restaurant kitchens, eight school kitchens, seven mobile units and conducted 26 follow-up inspections. There was one failure to comply.
— Approved the following Linn County Road Department easements on Goldfish Farm Road: $23,485 to James and Deena Hickey Joint Revocable Trust; $13,069 to Andrew Jensen and Stephanie Jensen; $3,481 to Dave Renly.
— Reappointed commissioners Sprenger and Nyquist to the Budget Committee. Other members are Commissioner Tucker, Mellissa Barnard, Jennifer Stanaway and Kerry Johnson.
— Announced the continuation of a land use application by the City of Millersburg at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Linn County Expo Center.
– Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer