Vol. 86 No. 1

Vol. 86 No.
1 AN ISLAND COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION February 2010
County fair is no burden on taxpayers

During the recent budget deliberations, one area the County Commissioners didn’t
consider cutting is the Island County Fair.
That’s because County taxpayers don’t foot the bill for the annual Fair.
Never have.
Since the primary purpose of the Island County Fair Association is education, we believe
the knowledge of what their taxes do and do not support is important to the citizenry.
Initially formed in 1912 as a private stock company, the Island County Fair Association
refined its structure and reincorporated in 1923 as a Washington state nonprofit organi-
zation. In 2002, the Fair Association qualified for and received 501(c)3 nonprofit status with
the Internal Revenue Service, in part because the Association saves taxpayer dollars.
Purpose From the acquisition in 1934 of the first parcel of land for $300, through construction
The purpose of the Fair begun in 1935 to the Pole Building’s completion in 1937, with the addition of horse barns
is education ... to provide and exhibit halls erected during the ‘40s, ‘50s and early ‘60s .... the Fair Association
owned and maintained the fairgrounds with the indispensable help of its many
entertainment and a place for all volunteers and without County involvement.
of us to gather with family and In 1962, the fairgrounds property was granted to Island County with the stipulation that
the land could never be sold without a majority vote of the descendants of the South
friends to celebrate the fruits of our Whidbey pioneer families who built it with their own funds and sweat equity, as
labors and enjoy that which is so represented by voters within the South Whidbey School District boundaries..
On April 2, 1962, the Board of County Commissioners resolved “... that a separate fund
special about Island County. be created in the County Treasurer’s office to be designated as the ‘Island County Fair
Fund’ into which ... all pari-mutuel funds ... and all fair receipts ... be deposited, and ...
the County Auditor be authorized to provide a Revolving Fund to be used by fair officials
Island County Fair Association
for the conduct of the fair ...”
MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST
MONDAY OF EACH MONTH
From inception and for the past 47 years, the Island County Fair Fund has not been
AT 7 p.m. IN THE KIWANIS KITCHEN included in the County’s Current Expense Fund, which has been the hot topic throughout
AT THE FAIRGROUNDS much of the past year. The Fair Association pays interest on any revolving fund start-up
PRESIDENT Diane Divelbess money borrowed from the County.
VICE PRESIDENT Barbara Pearson Thus, while Island County citizens own the land, the Fair Association continues to
SECRETARY Tarey Kay manage the fairgrounds on a self-supporting basis, as it has done since Albert Melsen
TREASURER Sandey Brandon advanced that first $300 to purchase an old chicken ranch. It is only within the past
decade that the County Commissioners have even budgeted minimal funds from real
Island County Fair Board estate excise taxes that are restricted to capital improvements of the facility.
MEETINGS ARE HELD THE SECOND Those are the plain facts. An Island County taxpayer with a home valued at $433,512 paid
MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT $207.18 to the County’s Current Expense Fund in 2009. It’s prudent to know where those
7 p.m. IN THE KIWANIS KITCHEN AT tax dollars are NOT going.
THE FAIRGROUNDS – EXCEPT IN
FEBRUARY AND OCTOBER, WHEN THE And that is the Island County Fair.
BOARD MEETS IN COUPEVILLE.
Leandra Reuble, Chairman
M. Dan Ollis Marilyn Gabelein
MaryAnn Davis Ken Schillinger
Gary Kay George Lawson
Diane Divelbess Barbara Pearson DEDICATED TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Lynda Knapp Klaas Zuiderbaan $30,000

TAX ID #91-2079720 $35,000
P O Box 519 360.221-4677

Langley, WA 98260 19icfa12@whidbey.com
www.islandcountyfair.com
FOLLOW US ON
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I would like the Island County Fair to continue as a great
family tradition to enjoy for years to come. Here’s my tax-
deductible donation of:
❏ $10 ❏ $25 ❏ $50 ❏ $100 or $_______
NAME __________________________________________________ CLIP AND MAIL TO

Island County Fair Association
❏ PLEASE SEND ME A RECEIPT
P O Box 519, Langley, WA 98260

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Vol. 86 No. 1

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Vol. 86 No.

1 AN ISLAND COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION February 2010

County fair is no burden on taxpayers

P O Box 519 360.221-4677

❏ $10 ❏ $25 ❏ $50 ❏ $100 or $_______

NAME __________________________________________________ CLIP AND MAIL TO

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