MYRTLE POINT — The fair is temporarily laying off two employees and making another half time. But don’t worry, there will still be a fair and a rodeo.

At its third meeting this month, with only a handful of people in the audience, the Coos County Fair Board decided on budget cuts to help offset a timid economy and declining attendance.

Two employees will be laid off for a portion of the winter months, while an office manager will go to half-time.

“I think we’ll be doing great next year,” said board member David Scolari. “Things are starting to turn around. People are spending a little bit more.”

Expenses were up, while revenues and sponsorship was down, with the budget barely breaking even. The budget that board member Nikki Whitty proposed included the employee cuts. She predicted the surplus to be around $3,000 for the fiscal year if they adopt proposed cuts. The financial problems led to rumors the board is going to do away with the rodeo, or even that there is not going to be a fair next year.

“People get nervous when you have to start making cuts,” Whitty said. “The fair and rodeo aren’t going anywhere.”

The board also plans to save money on utilities by turning off furnaces and water heaters, and looking for year-round sponsors.

 Residents at the meeting said they are confident that, with the support of the community, the fair will survive, despite the deflating economic conditions.

One way they suggested to get the community involved is with a spaghetti dinner fundraiser in January. Another idea was to book mud races during the off-season.

A local museum has offered to contribute between $100 and $200 a month to put toward utilities, and the fair court donated $500. 

“We’re lucky because community is behind the fair,” Scolari said.