Agency: Agriculture

Line Item: Utah State Fair Corporation

Function

The Utah State Fair Corporation runs the State Fair and other events on the fairgrounds year-round. State Fair is an "independent public nonprofit corporation" (UCA 63H-6-103) that operates the fair and fairgrounds year round. Subject to approval of the board of directors, the corporation may hold other exhibitions that, in its opinion, will best stimulate agricultural, industrial, artistic, and educational pursuits and the sharing of talents among the people of Utah. Utah's first State Fair was held in 1856, just nine years after the pioneers arrived.

The Fairpark was privatized in 1995 based on the recommendations of a study committee directed to find a way to help the Fairpark become self-sufficient. However, the legislation allowed the new corporation to receive annual appropriations from the state until it could become self-sufficient. The state leases all 64 acres of Fairpark property to the corporation for $10 per year.

Statutory Authority

The following laws govern Utah State Fair Corporation

• UCA Section 63H-6-103 defines the powers and the legal status of Utah State Fair Corporation
• UCA Section 63H-6-104 defines the terms, membership, and quorum of the Board of Directors
• UCA Section 63H-6-107 specifies the creation, revenues, and uses of the Enterprise fund
• UCA 63A-5-306 covers the leasing of state fair park

Intent Language

Under the terms of 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Utah State Fair Corporation in Item 26, Chapter 9, Laws of Utah 2011, shall not lapse at the close of FY 2012. Expenditures of these funds are limited to: Capital Equipment/Improvements $91,200; Computer Equipment/Software $12,000; Employee Training/Incentives $3,000; Equipment/Supplies $50,000; Special Projects $25,000; Vehicles $10,000.

Funding Detail

The Legislature assigned the State Fair appropriations process to the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee at the end of the 2003 General Session. Funds are appropriated to the Department of Agriculture and Food for pass-through to the corporation.

Since 1995 the corporation has attempted various ways to increase revenues. These include having private groups build a science center, aquarium, and amphitheater, and bonding to construct a large multipurpose arena and sports facility. For various reasons these proposals have all fallen through. Other ideas, such as selling the property and moving the fair, have also been reviewed.