ALPENA — The Alpena County Fairgrounds could be placed under the authority of the Parks and Recreation committee as county officials look for ways to reduce pressure on the general fund and address continuing operating losses.

County Administrator Jesse Osmer raised the proposal Wednesday during a County Facilities committee meeting. He also suggested relocating the Michigan State University Extension office from the fairgrounds, but the committee ultimately said it was not in favor of that move.

Budget pressure drives discussion

Osmer told commissioners that the county will need to make major changes to its long-term planning and budgeting. He said the county needs to identify either savings or new revenue of at least $150,000 per quarter to stabilize its budget.

“I would highly suggest that we either find a savings or a new revenue, at least $150,000 per quarter, if we want to actually stabilize this budget and make it healthy rather than just being able to pay the bills,” he said.

Osmer said moving the MSU Extension office could be one way to change the financial picture at the fairgrounds. The county currently pays utilities for the building used by the office and does not collect rent, he said.

“We're paying them for services so it’s not like we are getting a profit from them,” Osmer said.

Despite the suggestion, committee members said they would not support moving MSU Extension off the fairgrounds property.

Proposed Parks and Recreation transfer

Osmer’s second proposal would place the fairgrounds under the Parks and Recreation committee’s oversight. He said the change could move some costs away from the county’s general fund and allow money already available through Parks and Recreation to be used for improvements at the fairgrounds.

The Parks and Recreation committee has about $500,000 in its general fund, according to Osmer. He said that fund could potentially have a greater effect on the fairgrounds than the county’s general fund, which is carrying multiple responsibilities.

“It's just to alleviate some pressure off the general fund into a fund that's growing and healthy,” Osmer said.

Osmer pointed to the condition and declining use of fairgrounds facilities, including the Merchant’s Building, as part of the reason for considering a change in management.

“We're seeing a decrease in people using facilities,” he said. “We've all been in the Merchant's Building. It's not getting any better anytime soon.”

Board members Kozlowski and Fournier said they would not support moving the fairgrounds to the Parks and Recreation committee. The discussion did not result in a reported final decision on changing the fairgrounds’ oversight.

Fairgrounds losses vary by year

The fairgrounds recorded a $6,827 loss in 2025. Officials projected a $4,875 loss for 2026 and a $26,408 loss for 2027. Osmer said the 2026 projection does not include a possible increase in storage activity at the fairgrounds.

Year-end figures showed losses in 2020, 2021 and 2022, followed by gains in 2023 and 2024 before the deficit returned in 2025:

  • 2020: $6,520 loss
  • 2021: $1,642 loss
  • 2022: $13,982 loss
  • 2023: $16,822 gain
  • 2024: $26,518 gain
  • 2025: $6,827 loss

The proposals emerged as county officials consider how to manage the fairgrounds, fund necessary improvements and address broader budget concerns.