KIMBALL -- In the upcoming election on November 5, the community will vote to approve or disapprove the renewal of the 1.15% tax levy that the Kimball County Ag Society receives. 

The Ag Society is an entirely volunteer group who helps organize the annual fair and hosts other community activities on the fairgrounds, which is what the funds go toward. 

Ag Society Member Hannah Snyder said the biggest thing the community should understand is this will not cause an increase in property taxes; they just receive a portion of what residents are already paying. 

For example, if you pay $1,000 in property taxes, the Ag Society gets $11.50 of that $1,000. 

Prior to the Ag Society receiving a tax levy, their funding came from the County Commissioners. Four years ago, the Ag Society decided to request funding through property taxes. 

“Without the tax levy, the Ag Society will struggle to maintain buildings and maintenance on the property and to keep the fair going along with all the other community events held at the fairgrounds,” Snyder said.  

If the levy is voted down, the Ag Society will need to request funding from the County Commissioners; however, Snyder said the County’s budget is tight so it would be difficult to request money from the commissioners. 

“This is a wonderful, positive addition to our community, which needs to be able to continue to benefit our youth especially because there aren’t a lot of things for the youth to do in our community,” Snyder said. “We also need to keep the fairgrounds available for community events and activities.” 

A few of the events the Ag Society hosts at the Fair Grounds are the Kimball Banner County Fair, Ranch Rodeo, Demolition Derby, FFA contests, Circus performance, class reunions, birthday parties, and wedding/graduation receptions – and more. 

The Ag Society annual elections will be this Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in the 4H building. Four of the 12 members are up for re-election. The regularly scheduled meeting will follow right afterward.