The Douglas County commission meets in the historic courtroom on the second floor of the old county courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

On Wednesday, the Douglas County commissioners will consider new fees and user policies for the Douglas County Fairgrounds and its facilities.

Commissioners asked for a rate review in February when they approved final spending authority for the $7.95 million fairground’s renovations. In a report to commissioners, Jill Jolicoeur, assistant to the county administrator, writes the fee schedule was consistent and competitive with other public event venues available in the community. The proposal would waive fees for events that include activities for Douglas County residents 17 years of age and younger. In addition, fees for tax-exempt non-profits would be waived for events with the approval of county administrative staff if there is no commercial activity and no admission is charged.

Special liability insurance will be required of “major events” that include animals or special equipment, although fairgrounds management will have discretionary authority to require policies after reviewing applications.

Applicants would be required to get a separate permit to serve or provide alcoholic beverages at an event. The permit would not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages, which is prohibited at the fairgrounds.

The proposed rental rates for the rebuilt outdoor arena are $125 for six hours and $250 for a day with $50 added if its lights are used. The rates for the new open-air pavilion are $110 for an hour, $325 for six hours and $650 per day. The open-air pavilion is expected to be complete early next year and the new outdoor arena finished in time for the 2017 Douglas County Fair.

Also on the County Commission’s agenda are proposed policies for employees of Douglas County government carrying concealed weapons.

Jolicoeur explains in a memo to commissioners that the Kansas Legislature last spring amended a previous statute, striking language that allowed cities and counties to prohibit employees from carrying concealed weapons in public buildings or vehicles. However, language from a previous bill allows the county to maintain a previous exemption against concealed carry in its buildings through Dec. 31, 2017.

The proposed policy, which does not apply to law enforcement officers, address concealed carry for on-duty employees in county vehicles or their own vehicles if on county time. It states carrying a handgun is not a requirement for any employee’s job, and, therefore, employees are prohibited from cleaning or loading weapons while at work. The policy prohibits employees from making the presence of the concealed weapon known in any visible way or using it for anything other than their self-defense or that of others.

The policy states employees are solely responsible for any injury, damage or consequences from the use or discharge of a weapon. Employees also would be responsible for the loss of their weapons while on the job.

In other business, the County Commission will:

• Consider an update of the county’s regulations regarding the spreading of septic tank waste on farm pastures. The update includes a proposed 500-foot setback from neighboring property lines.

• Consider the county’s participation in a neighborhood revitalization district Williams Management LLC proposes for its mixed-use development for a brewery/restaurant/apartment project at 826 Pennsylvania Street.

The Douglas County Commission meets at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St. Full agenda may be viewed at douglascounty.org.