By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - The regular meeting of Butler County Commissioners was anything but normal Thursday.

Dressed casually in polo shirts and slacks, commissioners approved creation of a port authority and conducted other business, all while anxious children waited for the bathroom and the smell of livestock drifted into a concrete-floored meeting room.

Welcome to the Butler County Fair and the county commissioners' annual meeting on the fairgrounds.

"We wanted to make it more accessible to the fairgoers, the public and the kids," said Chuck Furmon, commission president.

For the last five years commissioners have taken their meetings on the road during the fair, setting up in the administration building on Fairgrove Road.

"The fair is an important communitywide event and a lot of folks ... spend time here," said Commissioner Michael Fox. "It gives people an opportunity who otherwise wouldn't consider attending a community meeting - even if it is accidentally."

While the atmosphere was casual, business went on as usual.

With little fanfare, commissioners agreed to create a previously discussed countywide port authority to support development.

After the brief meeting, Fox and Commissioner Gregory Jolivette talked to fairgoers.

"I do think it's nice that they take the time out of their day to come out here and talk to the people," said Trenton resident Geri Conn.