Lassen County Fair Manager Kaitlyn Midgley addresses resignation in an open letter to the community.
To the Residents of Lassen County:
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Lassen County Fair Manager. After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from this position to pursue a new opportunity. Over the years, I’ve worked diligently to bring fresh and exciting events to our community, including Oktoberfest, Cowboy Christmas, the June Jackpot Show, Cowboy Festival, Hidden Woods Music Festival, and many more. It is my belief that the fairgrounds are for the people and should be utilized year-round. Recently, questions have been raised by the Lassen County Board of Supervisors regarding my handling of the fair’s budget. I want to address these concerns directly. The fair’s fiscal year starts in July and ends in June. It’s important to note that the fair typically operates in a deficit until revenue from ticket sales and other events begins to come in later in the year. The fairgrounds have been able to maintain operations despite challenges. Since the 2021-2022 fiscal year, a fund balance of approximately $500,000- Sourced from the Dixie Fire Camp- Has supported operations Prior to this, the fairgrounds relied on annual contributions from the county, which ranged from $100,000 to $300,000 to cover essential operating expenses annually.
It has come to my attention that the Board of Supervisors and administration have threatened to cancel the fair next year due to budget concerns. This is not only unfair but also untrue. The fairgrounds will recoup revenue, especially if events that generate income are allowed to continue. Shutting down events would only leave the fairgrounds empty and without a way to make money, which would further exacerbate financial difficulties. It is essential to keep the fairgrounds active year-round to ensure its financial health and continued success. Like many initiatives, new events can carry risks, but they also bring opportunities for growth. For instance, the Hidden Woods Music Festival we launched did incur some initial losses, but it also brought great potential for future success. As I explained to the Board and administration, that without establishing another event comparable in size to the fair, the fairgrounds will continue to require general fund contributions to remain viable.
There has been speculation about my resignation on social media, and I believe the Board of Supervisors may now be seeking additional reasons to scrutinize my work. However, I want to make it clear that my motivation for introducing new events has always been to foster growth and change for Lassen County. I’ve worked hard to clean up the fairgrounds and its buildings, and I am incredibly proud of the improvements we’ve made. While some may try to tarnish my name, I remain proud of what I have accomplished during my tenure. My goal has always been to bring positive change to our community, and I will continue to work towards that goal in my new role. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this wonderful county.
Sincerely, Kaitlyn Midgley Lassen County Fair Manager (Former)
LASSEN COUNTY FAIR
195 Russell Avenue
Susanville, CA 96130
Phone (530) 251-8900
The role of Fair Manager will become vacant as of Friday, September 27th. The Board of Supervisors has agreed to give the County Administrative Officer, Richard Egan oversight of the Fairgrounds. He has appointed Sam McMullen, current Budget Analyst and Executive Assistant to the CAO, as the interim Fair Manager.
