Commission previews $20,000 as starting ask for 2027 after reviewing event costs

The Culture & Diversity Citizen Action Commission of Huber Heights discussed its proposed 2027 budget and tentatively resolved to ask staff for $20,000 as a flexible starting point while it seeks fuller accounting.

At the commission’s Oct. 1 meeting, commissioners examined expense summaries from 2024–2026 and noted a sharp variance: two members reported figures “around $16,000–$17,000” for most years but “almost $38,000” for 2025. Chair (speaker 2) said the group would provide Aaron (city staff) a provisional figure and then refine it once the commission receives electronic ledgers and sponsor-revenue details. “I will give Aaron a number of, like, 20,000 in quotes,” Chair said.

Commissioners outlined line items that appear to have driven higher costs in 2025: expanded entertainment and staging for the multicultural festival, larger performance fees, additional tents and contractor charges. Committee member (speaker 6) noted typical vendor fees used by the commission: about $100 for food trucks and $50 for vendors, with cultural vendors often charged no fee. Several members pushed for a more-detailed reconciliation so the commission can evaluate net costs (expenses minus vendor and sponsor income) rather than expense-only snapshots.

One commissioner asked the city for a “forensic accounting” of 2025 entries and the commission agreed to request an itemized ledger and a sponsor list so members can validate whether certain entries were duplicate or misposted. The commission agreed that line items drawn from its budget—such as face painting, staging or catering—should be presented to the commission for approval before payment.

The provisional $20,000 figure is not final. Commissioners said it should be presented as guidance to staff and be subject to change after they review the detailed accounting and confirm which recurring obligations (for example, the $2,500 annual NAACP banquet charge noted in discussion) are already being deducted from the commission’s total allocation. The body plans to revisit the item at its November meeting and instruct staff to circulate the expense files and sponsor lists electronically ahead of that meeting.