Section 1711.17 - County joint ownership(A) In any counties in which there is a duly organized independent agricultural society, the respective boards of county commissioners may purchase or lease jointly, for a term of not less than twenty years, real estate on which to hold fairs under the management and control of the society, and may erect suitable buildings and otherwise improve the property, and pay the rental thereof, or contribute to or pay any other form of indebtedness of the society, if the director of agriculture has certified to the board that the independent agricultural society is complying with all laws and rules governing the operation of county agricultural societies. The boards may appropriate from their respective general funds such an amount as they consider necessary for any of those purposes.(B) An independent agricultural society may purchase or lease, for a term of not less than twenty years, real estate on which to hold fairs under its management and control and may erect suitable buildings on the real estate and otherwise improve it. Effective Date: 9/26/2003 .