Fair & Expo Center doing brisk business

ALBANY — Activities at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center are brisk director Kris Barnes told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning.

During the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, activities ground to a near standstill and Linn County Circuit Court sessions were moved to the facility, which could provide large open spacing.

Now, its calendar is filled virtually every week, from horse and dog shows to gun shows and the recent Northwest Fly Tyers event.

Barnes said income in February topped $95,000 and year-to-date income is $691,730 with only $7,272 in billing outstanding.

Barnes said large events held in February included the annual Hell on Hooves rodeo, the Linn County Small Woodlands Seedling Sale, the Willamette Sportsman’s Show, the Oregon High School Equestrian Team meet and the Linn County Kennel Club AKC Dog Show.

March has been just as busy, including the Albany Rifle and Pistol Club Gun Show, a roller derby, the Linn County Flea Market and the upcoming Northwest Horse Fair and Expo and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet.

A new event this year was the Oregon Meat Processors Convention held March 15 and 16.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Were informed by Dr. Adam Brady that there were 52 births (27 females, 25 males) and 110 deaths in February. There were 36 animal bites.
• Approved three oil rock purchases with Knife River: $115,590 for the Mill City area; $115,668 for the Scio area; and $201,675 for the Sweet Home area.
• Approved transferring $2.6 million from the Contingency Fund to Capital Real Property for the potential purchase of a building to be used by the Health Department.
• Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Linn County Health Department and the Oregon Health Authority or $140,116 to provide services to individuals found guilty of Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicants.
• Approved a Personal Services Agreement between the Linn County Health Department and ABC House not to exceed $87,924, a pass-through grant from the Criminal Justice Commission.
• Approved a Personal Services Contract between the Linn County Health Department and CARDV not to exceed $87,924 pass-through grant from the Criminal Justice Commission to provide victim support services.
• Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Linn County Health Department and the Oregon Health Authority for Parent Child Interaction Therapy Services for $100,029.
• Discussed mobile food carts and the difference in health department inspection requirements between the mobile units and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Environmental director Shane Sanderson said the number of mobile food carts, both locally and statewide, has grown significantly.
• Held a Public Hearing and approved changing zoning for a 1-acre parcel of land near Gates, from Forest Conservation Management to Farm Forest.

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.