Council previews fundraising resolution, seeks July 4 coordinator; rodeo committee raises ticketing and contractor concerns

Mayor (S1) told the council March 17 that the city needs a single July 4 sponsorship coordinator to manage fundraising and avoid duplicate solicitations and confusion about restricted donations. "They're gonna track who's being asked for fund for funding or donations, how much," the mayor said, describing past instances where donors thought funds went to the rodeo but money was spent elsewhere.

The mayor said she will place a resolution on next month’s agenda that would clarify who is authorized to solicit restricted donations and require that restricted funds be routed through the city office with council approval before spending. "If a group, the events council, were to go out and solicit donations for ... $8,000 and they only raise $1,000, that money is restricted. We have to hold on to it in a fund until the money is spent on what was set," she said.

Council members discussed possible volunteers to serve as coordinator and suggested having three people in a pool to call for donations. Council member (S6) nominated Teresa; Council member (S2) suggested Cammie Allen and other community members as candidates. The mayor said the coordinator role would be voluntary and would hand a contact list to event committees rather than being the sole fundraiser.

Separately, the rodeo committee and council reviewed last year’s financial arrangements. Council member (S3) said the city paid $12,000 and provided an $8,000 prize supplement, and that "the rodeo stock contractor was actually charging a fee to the contestants... he made a little over $22,000." The council agreed to include contract language to prevent contractors from taking contestant fees; the mayor said she would not sign a contract until that term is included.

Rodeo ticketing changes were discussed: the committee proposed a flat $10 ticket with children 5 and under admitted free and eliminating the family pass to reduce abuse of the program; council members recommended presale ticket options through the city office and fencing/entrance control to reduce gate-line congestion. The council noted contestant admission policies historically allowed a contestant plus one guest free; it also recommended wristbands be applied rather than handed out to reduce gate fraud.

What’s next: The fundraising resolution will be formally considered next month. The city will require the contract clause prohibiting contestant fees before signing with the stock contractor. Event-council volunteers and presale logistics are to be coordinated by staff and the events council.