By JAIME STUDD

For the C-S-E

FONDA — What a difference a year makes.

One year ago, the members of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society who gathered in the Fonda-Fultonville High School auditorium for the organization’s annual meeting were painted a bleak fiscal picture.

The force behind the county’s largest and most successful annual event, the Fonda Fair, the agricultural society was left reeling in the wake of 2011’s historic floods.

Last Wednesday, however, its members learned that 12 months worth of struggling to rebuild and recover financially had paid off.

In his annual report, Phil Beckett, who serves as the society’s accountant, told the group that fair revenues rose by nearly $50,000, with its net profit going from negative $36,000 in 2011 to nearly $77,000 last year.

The majority of that increase came from a significant decrease in expenses, the result of what agricultural society President Richard Kennedy said was a “very difficult decision” to cut staff.

According to the treasurer’s report, the group held more than $96,500 in cash at the end of last year, up from approximately $12,500 the year before.

“This is a complete turnaround from the prior year,” Beckett said. “Overall, a good report.”

In his opening remarks and report to the group, Kennedy said they realized early that financial recovery hinged on increasing revenues.

“We thought, ‘what are we good at?’ We’re good at horse shows and we’re good at motorized events,” Kennedy said. “We really need to capitalize on those two things.”

Kennedy said the group will continue to invest and grow its horse show endeavors, which begin in April, just weeks after the official opening of the fairgrounds.

“We are so much more than just the fair,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also outlined what he called the “highlights” of last year’s fair, which he said included a first-time Chinchilla show, the Convoy for Kids, a return to featuring local bands and “6 1/2 days of nice weather.”

Kennedy also said the concession sales last year were also extremely successful.

“We had one of the best turnouts in concessions ever,” Kennedy said. “We had a phenomenal year.”

For the coming year, Kennedy said the group was looking forward to continuing to feature “homegrown” talent, returning to its tradition of scheduling local bands for performances in place of more famous musicians.

He said they were also hoping to reach out to local fire departments to get them more involved in the activities.

Planned infrastructure improvements at the grounds this year include additional lighting in the arena and repairs to the roof of the Ag 2000 building.

Kennedy said there were several measures employed last year in an effort to generate increased attendance that the board of directors will likely take a closer look at in the coming months, including the number of free passes given out to exhibitors and fair goers.

“We’ve been very lenient in with the number of passes we give out,” Kennedy said. “We’ve got to find a balance.”

Kennedy also said the decision to open the fair grounds free of charge on Monday morning last year was extremely successful for concessions, estimating that approximately 6,000 people took advantage of that special offer.

Unfortunately, most people ate then left and the profits did not spread beyond the food vendors. At $10 per person admission, Kennedy said, that translated to an approximately $60,000 loss at the gate.

“Again, what’s the balance?” he asked.

Some of the ideas Kennedy said are currently being considered to generate more interest in the fair are a designating reduced wrist band day or, possibly, a  day in which admission will be offered at one price per car load.

Also on Wednesday, a suggestion was made that the agricultural society’s bylaws be amended to create two directors seats for Fulton County members.

Currently, the board consists of directors representing each of the towns in Montgomery County, as well as one from the city of Amsterdam.

In making the suggestion, the member noted that a number Fulton County members exhibit and work at the fair every year, but are not represented on the board.

Kennedy said the measure could be submitted in writing on Wednesday, but, per the bylaws, it could not be voted on until next year.

Four seats on the Board of Directors were also up for election on Wednesday. Donald (Skip) McPhee representing the town of Florida and Joan Feagles of St. Johnsville ran unopposed and were unanimously re-elected to their seats. Town of Amsterdam Director Robert Johnson also retained his seat.

Mark Wilmot beat long-time board member Jake Sammons to take the director’s seat in the town of Mohawk.