Richland County Board of Supervisors held its reorganization meeting Tuesday

The Richland County Board of Supervisors held its reorganization meeting last night (Tuesday) following the spring election earlier this month. Kerry Severson was elected as the Board Chair with Larry Engel as Vice-Chair. The Committee on Committees will meet tonight (Wednesday) to assign board members to committees.

In action items, the Richland County Board of Supervisors approved the prohibition of the use of nicotine products, tobacco products, or cigarettes in any form, including but not limited to smoking in all Richland County parks. This approval brings county parks inline with Richland Center Parks Tobacco Free Parks ordinance.

The Board of Supervisors also discussed establishing an admission and grandstand pricing structure for the 2026 Richland County Fair, which included gate fees of $5 Friday and Saturday; grandstand fees of $5 Friday night and $15 Saturday night; and Pit Gate Fees of $15 Friday night and $25 Saturday night. Concerns were raised if the cost would deter families from attending. It was also mentioned that more people took advantage of the free gate which brought more families into the fairgrounds to eat. An amendment was made to allow those five and under be admitted free on Friday and Saturday. The amended resolution then passed.

Richland County Administrator, Tricia Clements, reported that a special board meeting will be held May 5 at 6:00 to provide education to the Board on the possibility of a Countywide Ambulance System and options for Ambulance Services for the area served by the Richland Ambulance Service. The meeting will not have public comment so the meeting can focus on the Board gathering facts to be able to make an informed decision at a future date. 

She also reported that The Café located on the Tri-County Airport is closed. The kitchen equipment no longer meets code and the building is in need of considerable repair. The Commission hired General Engineering Company to do an analysis of the building to determine the cost of renovation. They determined that it would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to renovate. The Commission decided that it was not worth doing and agreed to remove the building. Demolition is expected to be around $15,000.

The Richland County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting next Tuesday, April 28.