Dane Dugan has stepped down from his position as general manager of the Kootenai County fairgrounds.

The North Idaho Fair Board announced the resignation Friday, a day after it became effective.

Dugan, who held the position for the last four years, has chosen to seek other opportunities, per fair chairman Jerry Johnson.

Calls to Dugan for comment were not returned before deadline Friday.

"We just had the best fair ever and he felt he would leave on a high note," Johnson said. "He did a tremendous job and set the fair on a whole new course."

The 2016 North Idaho State Fair, which ended Sunday, included a slew of new events and set an all-time record for gate admission sales and food vendor commissions, according to preliminary figures.

Assistant general manager Alexcia Jordan will serve as interim general manager until a suitable replacement is found.

The fair board’s announcement of Dugan’s resignation noted Dugan increased both year-round facility rentals and led the fair through a successful rebranding effort. He also helped the fair raise funds for capital improvements that helped revamp the facilities.

“Dane guided the Fair Board in a promising direction for future growth both as one of the largest fairs in North Idaho and as a year-round full service rental facility," Johnson said. "His vision will be missed and we are incredibly thankful for his work during his time here."

Dugan's resignation also comes on the heels of an internal audit of the fair’s financial processes by county Clerk Jim Brannon’s office.

The internal audit performed by county staff revealed some employees had taken draws against their future pay since 2005 and other financial data and oversight red flags surfaced.

"It appears most financial controls related to the annual August fair are in order," read a county memo in reference to the first audit." However, the internal audit team identified several practices of concern ... inadequate financial oversight and improper financial record-keeping."

Brannon recommended, in a July 29 email to the county commissioners, that an independent third-party forensic audit be completed immediately following the fair.

“This audit will not only clearly answer the question of proper fund handling, but provide assurance to the county that no laws have been violated and that no fraudulent activity exists,” Brannon wrote.

When contacted by The Press for comment Friday, Commissioner Dan Green said the matter will be discussed Thursday. The commissioners are scheduduled to meet with the Fair Board Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

The agenda for the meeting, which is open to the public, includes a new business item: “Meeting with Fair Board Chairman Jerry Johnson to discuss recent changes and updates related to the fair.”

The meeting will be held in the third-floor boardroom of the county administration buildiing, 451 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene.