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Regular Agenda Item 3. E.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Approval of grant application for the 2018-19 County Fair Racing Grant in the amount of $60,000 ($40,000 in state funds and $20,00 in local match funds). |
| Background Information |
A new grant opportunity for counties was created during the last legislative session. The County Fair Racing Fund was established to bring live racing to Arizona counties with populations less than 800,000 to re-establish live racing at their county facilities. This grant allows for a maximum of $40,000 from Racing Fund, and requires a match of $20,000 in county funds. The $20,000 in county match has been budgeted for this fiscal year.
The last horse races at the fairgrounds were held in 2006. Since there have been no races the infrastructure related to racing has not been a priority for upkeep and maintenance. While the racetrack is still kept level and weed free, no material has been added in more than a decade. Similarly, the railing has not been replaced as sections break. The technology needed to operate the electronic equipment as well as the equipment itself has significantly changed in the past ten years.
THe level of support from the County Fair Racing Association has also substantially changed in the last decade. Since most counties have suspended horse racing, the association that existed to assist them has also been inactive. The shared equipment, electronics and staff support will need to be recreated to assist rural counties with horse racing support.
County priorities and staffing have also significantly changed in the past ten years, and the available county workforce is limited.
In addition, the Fair and Racing Commission has been focused on activities related to the County Fair, the annual rodeo, and go-kart racing and the committees needed to keep those events operational. The Commission needs to recruit and reengage volunteers that are enthusiastic and committed to the horse racing sport.
For these reasons the Fair and Racing commission and county staff believe that a two year plan for horse racing has the best chance for success. To that end, the plan is to apply for racing dates in October of 2020, and to utilize fiscal year 2019 grant funds, donations, and county funds to repair infrastructure, update the necessary technology support and obtain a harrow for track maintenance and arena maintenance purposes. In fiscal year 2020, the continuation of this plan will be to provide further repairs to the infrastructure, mobilize the necessary contract employees, volunteers and donors, raise the necessary funds and hold two weekends of horse racing in October 2020.
This fund was authorized for two years, and we expect to apply next fiscal year as well.
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| Evaluation |
Applying for the 2018-19 County Fair Racing Grant provides the opportunity for additional funds to improve the infrastructure and necessary technology upgrades to support the long range plan of sponsoring horse racing in October 2020. The Fair and Racing Commission and County Administration believe that a two year plan for returning to horse racing is the most sustainable and viable plan, given that there has not been horse racing at the Fairgrounds in more than a decade. (Since the Arizona Racing Commission has not finalized the grant approval process or the terms and conditions, it is unknown at this time if these grant funds will be awarded for plans that do not include racing in calendar year 2019).
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| Conclusion |
| Applying for the Arizona Racing Commission's 2018-19 County Fair Racing Grant provides the opportunity to obtain needed funds to repair, replace and upgrade infrastructure at the Gila County Fairgrounds that is necessary and critical to the future plan of returning horse racing to the Fairgrounds. A requirement of applying for this grant is to obtain Board of Supervisor approval and commitment for the local match of $20,000. |
| Recommendation |
| Staff recommends the Board of Supervisors approve submittal of the 2018-19 County Fair Racing Grant Application in the amount of $60,000 ($40,000 in state funds and $20,000 in matching funds from the County) to begin the necessary improvements, repairs and technology upgrades to the infrastructure to support future horse racing events planned for October 2020. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Information/Discussion/Action to approve submittal of the 2018-2019 County Fair Racing Grant Application to the Arizona Racing Commission in the amount of $60,000 ($40,000 in state funds and $20,000 in county matching funds) to begin the necessary improvements, repairs and technology upgrades to the infrastructure to support future horse racing events planned for October 2020. (Jacque Sanders) |
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