Tri-County Fairgrounds’ Interim CEO Faces Inyo Supervisors, Leaving More Questions than Answers

Fairgrounds’ Interim CEO Faces Inyo Supervisors, Leaving More Questions than Answers

Before the State stepped into the management of the Tri-County Fairgrounds, most locals were blissfully ignorant of the complexity of California’s fairgrounds management. That came to an end at Tuesday’s Inyo County Board of Supervisors’ meeting. Interim CEO Mike Francesconi attended to update the Board and answer questions from both the community and the Board.

The more Francesconi explained the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s approach to those county fairs it oversees and tried to respond to questions, the more complex the State’s network of county fairs resembled a Gordian Knot. For reference, when Alexander the Great was challenged to untie the Knot, he quickly solved the issue by cutting through it with his sword. Unfortunately, there’s no equivalent solution for Inyo County.

The following are some of the facts and the questions and answer session that followed:

• The State’s involvement is complex but includes no funding since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s time in office. Roughly half of California’s county fairs had to go in search for income; many turned to RV and boat storage. During COVID, fairgrounds were provided assistance for laid-off personnel.
• Tri-Valley’s audit was a compliance audit, as opposed to a financial audit. Francesconi explained a compliance audit is done primarily to make sure the operation is following the rules. He added that he is actively trying to engage with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for a long term lease.
• The Fairground Board has to be in place before a new Chief Executive Officer can be hired, once there is a Fairground Board. Current and prospective Board members will have to apply before being appointed or re-appointed.
• The Junior Livestock Auction money has yet to be disbursed to the livestock owners. According to Francesconi, the money has to be collected from the buyers first. He told the Supervisors some buyers from the 2023 auction have yet to pay.
• Mule Days has no current contract with the Fairgrounds, according to Francesconi. He will be negotiating the Mule Days Board’s contract and reviewing the contract for the High School Rodeo.
• Supervisor Jeff Griffiths questioned Francesconi about rumors that specific local residents were being recruited for the Fairgrounds’ Board. While Francesconi said it was not unusual for the State to reach out, but he was not aware of that activity currently. He added the appointment process could be found on the CDFA’s website and he, personally, has no say in the final decision.
• A new heating and air conditioning system in the Charles Brown Building will go out to bid soon. The actual work, Francesconi said, may shorten the roller hockey group’s use of the building.

Public comment ran strongly in favor of the work and innovation led by former CEO Jen McGuire.

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For more on the Tri-County Fairgrounds, click here.

Deb Murphy