Fair deficit dwindling
By Audrey LaFave - alafave@dailypress.netESCANABA - The U.P. State Fair Board Thursday afternoon discussed slashing the fairground's fiscal year 2009 budget by more than $140,000 in a new tentative spending plan from the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Board members indicated they weren't satisfied with the revised budget from MDA. The proposed spending plan significantly reduces a projected budget deficit, from $149,348 calculated in September to $6,261.
Fair Manager Scott Staelgraeve and his boss, Barb Hensinger, participated in the meeting via video conference and board member Jim Gale took part over the phone.
The proposed reduction in board meetings from 12 a year to four a year to save on mileage and per diem, saving $2,500, was an issue with board member Vickie Micheau, Gladstone.
"I would prefer that we not make that cut," said Micheau. "Given the situation we have right now with staffing ... I don't believe we should reduce our fair board schedule."
Board president Jake Campbell agreed.
"I believe I speak for the board when I say that meeting quarterly is not enough, and once during fair week is definitely not enough," said Campbell.
Staelgraeve said problems have arisen in the past with board meetings being canceled or postponed due to a lack of a quorum. If board members are unable to meet they are still paid.
"Basically, I had to pull the pencil out on everything we spend money on and that included the board," he said after the meeting.
The new spending plan has $5,000 more in rental revenues, $5,000 for camping, $5,000 for storage and $40,000 from a proposed cost sharing agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.
This brings total projected revenue to $1.05 million.
The new spending plan also has reduced expenditures by eliminating $40,000 for road maintenance, $5,000 for equipment, $13,564 for salaries and wages, $3,500 for overtime, $14,280 for insurance and fringes, $3,384 for FICA and retirement, $2,000 for grants and premium payments and $3,000 on terminal leave projection.
The salary, insurance and retirement reductions are due to Staelgraeve's current reassignment downstate, meaning a third of his salary and benefits will come from another line item in the MDA budget, for a total savings of $34,189.
There will be no overtime for temporary staff during fair week and a reduced number of superintendents in the still exhibits. Staelgraeve said the updates to the expenditures are due to final dollar figures coming in from this fiscal year.
