Fairgrounds Becky Bartling, Fairgrounds Chief Executive Officer Michelle Arellano, CAO Analyst
Fairgrounds Recommended Budget: $10.8 million $1 million, or 10.78 %, increase from 2016 30.75 Permanent Positions
Fairgrounds Significant Budget Changes Salaries & Benefits increased $156,000 Services and Supplies increased $282,000 Interim rental activities & associated maintenance costs County Fair entertainment Capital Expenditures increased $864,000 Storm water mitigation project Grace Pavilion roof replacement Other Financing Uses decreased $250,000 Refinance County Treasury note with a private lender
Fairgrounds 2017 Expenditures by Program Maintenance $2,329,200 22% County Fair $2,933,777 27% Interim Events $1,776,066 16% Admin/Debt Service/Cap. Imp., $2,451,581 23% Horse Racing/Satellite Wagering $1,330,927 12%
Fairgrounds 2017 Revenue Sources Fund Balance $46,578 0% Grants/Outside Sources $566,000 5% Interim Events, $2,907,080 27% Horse Racing/Satellite Wagering $1,731,894 16% County Fair $5,569,999 52%
Fairgrounds Overview Rebecca Bartling Chief Executive Officer County Fair Horse Racing/ Satellite Wagering Administrative/ Debt Service/Capital Improvement Interim Operations Maintenance Carnival Concert and Arena Shows Junior Livestock Auction Wine Country Racing Jockey Club Derby Dog Dash Trackside & Paddock View Dining Facility-wide ADA improvements County Treasury Note Human Resources Facility Rentals Country Summer Event National Heirloom Festival Emerald Cup Storm water management improvements Water conservation efforts Flower Show Contests Racing Seminars Wine Country Winter Festival Internal roadway safety improvements
County Fair Junior Livestock Auctions raised $1,507,304 for local youth (up 3% from 2015) making it one of the largest JLAs in the state Food and beverage concessions up 4.5% Attendance up 2% New free concerts to drive admissions Grand opening of Saralee & Richard s Barn Sold out Rodeo, Destruction Derby and Monster Truck shows in Chris Beck Arena New, local food vendors added
Horse Racing & Satellite Wagering Racing date challenges led to a 9% decrease in average daily handle. Horse Racing continues to see a decline throughout California Offered a strong incentive program for horsemen to run Increased customer experience with enhanced seating and dining options at the track Only California fair race meet that offers a turf track. Ran a special promotion for the Bonus Week of racing. Sunday was dollar hot dogs and dollar beer
Administrative, Debt Service, Capital Improvement Continued ADA improvements facility-wide New Saralee and Richard s Barn pavilion project completed Paid down Sonoma County Treasury note by $200,000 Debt will be repaid by new note issued by private lender or, if not feasible, by cash provided by operations. New electronic sign to improve event advertising experience
Interim Operations Interim revenue up 24% from budget for the first 11 months of calendar 2016 3 rd year of Country Summer Music Festival (approx. 20,000 attendees) 5 th year of National Heirloom Festival 4 th Year of the Emerald Cup; 20,000 attendees with local hotels filled. Over 350 events (1 Million visitors) bringing new cultural experiences to Sonoma County
Maintenance Storm water drainage improvements Equipment replacement to meet air quality requirements Roadway improvements for safety and enhanced customer experience Continued water conservation efforts New footing in show ring for exhibitors and livestock safety
Fairgrounds By the Numbers 2016 2016 Sonoma County Fair 2016 Other Major Events Admissions Seniors Admitted Free Kids Admitted Free Seasonal Employees 20,000 Country Summer 20,000 The Emerald Cup 6,000 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Fairgrounds Objectives 2017 Promote the Event Center at the Fairgrounds as a tourist attraction. Continue developing a Capital Improvement Plan, including the continuation of fundraising efforts for the Saralee and Richard's Barn. Complete a Master Plan for the Fairgrounds property; focusing on underutilized assets.
Fairgrounds Objectives 2017 Enhance programming for the Sonoma County Fair to increase attendance and patron satisfaction; including addition of a new, more spectacular carnival. Days of the Fair will change from 15 to 11 to maximize revenues and efficiencies. Opening day of the Fair will be opening day of the races. Continue marketing efforts for the Sonoma County Event Center.
Thank you!