We want to believe in fair board, but secrecy makes it impossible

Entities taking funding from the public should be subject to open meetings and should realize it is in their best interest to operate above reproach. It's frustrating to see the Hancock County Agricultural Society's financial business be done in the dark amid an audit by the Ohio State Auditor's office. The fair board, which has been under financial challenges for some time now, seemingly has doubled down on its approach to keep the public away from all that is happening. What is clear is that HCAS has traditionally received 1 percent of the county's 6 percent hotel bed tax. After some discussion, Hancock County commissioners voted in December 2 to 1 to continue the funding, sans a 2025 payment that was withheld by commissioners until "a satisfactory audit" is received by the fair board. "(Hancock County Agricultural Society) is not a governmental entity, political subdivision or public body," read a March statement from the board. "(The acceptance of public funds) does not convert HCAS into a public body nor subject it to public records or open meetings requirements." The statement went on to assert the board "voluntarily conducts its affairs in a transparent and accountable manner." Then our favorite line of the statement… "(The position) does not reduce transparency — it prevents over-application of the Sunshine Law standards that do not legally apply to private nonprofits." Is this how entities who want to prove to the committee that they are good stewards of money should act? Or is it the playbook for a game of keep-away? It was also reported in October the board is under investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. One of our favorite parts of county fairs is the smells. I'd like to say this all smells like roasted almonds. But another smell synonymous with the fair could be in the air. Jeff Hunker is a Hancock County Commissioner and as much as anybody understands the delicate balance of agricultural interests in this area. He's worked in agribusiness and agricultural soybean research. He was the one vote against continuing the fair board's bed tax money. "We are awaiting a state audit," Hunker told The Courier in December. We have stated 2023 issues, but I'm not convinced there's just 2023 issues. Ever since we put a halt on funding in August, I've attended ag society meetings. Personally, I don't feel as though I've been treated very well at that meeting. As an entity giving taxpayer dollars to an entity that represents the citizens of Hancock County, I expect better." Journalists don't deal in unconfirmed rumors, so let's just say Hunker isn't likely the only entity to feel poorly treated by this board. Our hope is that the board truly is awaiting the results of the state audit, and at that point, it will all of the sudden chart a more transparent and productive future. That's what we all want, but at times this feels like a demolition derby, with the board jostling the community on a track that goes around and around. We hope the results of the audit and investigations come back soon. We believe the truth will come out. We also believe we all want the same thing — a vibrant, successful fair and an organization that is operating to the best of its ability. Prove you are operating to the best of your ability and you'll find a supportive community that rallies behind its agricultural past, present and future. Another journalistic principle — you can't prove anything in the absence of proof. So, for now, we continue to question and show concern. The only proof that exists to us, to the community is that the fair board is reeling from what could be a self-inflicted financial bump in the road, and that it is doubling down on operating within a shroud of secrecy.