Tulare council commits up to $40,000 for July 4 Sequoia Symphony event; council members pledge $1,000 each

The Tulare City Council on March 3 voted unanimously to back a plan to host the Sequoia Symphony at the Adventist Health Amphitheater on July 4, approving a budget framework the city says is estimated at $40,000.

Staff presented a cost breakdown that listed production and symphony fees and estimated security and janitorial costs. “Estimate production to be $22,500, symphony cost, $15,000, janitorial $1,500, and security $1,000 for a total of $40,000,” city staff said during the presentation. Councilman Maderos said the goal is to avoid using general fund dollars where possible by lining up a name sponsor and pursuing ticketing and sponsorship revenue.

Under the arrangement Maderos described, the city would seek a $15,000 name sponsor for the symphony portion; the private promoter, Spade Entertainment, will manage ticket and box sales and would split certain sponsorship revenue 50/50 with the city per the staff presentation. Maderos asked each council member to commit $1,000 from discretionary funds to create immediate matching funds; the council voted to ratify the approach and the motion to fund and advance the event.

During discussion, Council members raised transparency questions about how operator fees and sponsorship splits would be reported in the budget. Staff clarified the presentation proposed that Spade would not charge a production fee beyond the amounts in the estimate but would retain 50% of sponsorships it independently procured. Todd Spielman of Spade Entertainment, on the line, explained typical amphitheater revenue streams and said bar revenues were expected to be modest.

Councilmember Maderos moved the motion to commit to the Sequoia Symphony event, with Vice Mayor Steve Harrell seconding. The motion carried 5–0.

Next steps include finalizing sponsor commitments, the ticketing approach (staff discussed keeping tickets free with a small processing fee to collect attendee information), and coordinating accounting treatment for sponsorships and any city contributions.

Action recorded at the meeting instructs staff to finalize the sponsorship and ticketing structure, include corresponding revenues in budget documents where applicable, and return with any required contract amendments.