Council votes to withhold $50,000 appropriation to Birthplace of Country Music pending tax‑obligation review

Council discussed whether to proceed with a $50,000 appropriation to the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) that was included in the FY2026 budget. City Manager Miss Bradlin explained the appropriation is scheduled to be disbursed within the fiscal year but staff cannot change council-approved appropriations without direction from council.

City Attorney Jim Gwyn cautioned that tax liabilities are considered private under state law and recommended tying any payment to the group meeting its tax obligations. "I sent you a statute this morning and indicated that... tax liabilities are considered private," he said, and advised that council could make payment conditional on BCM fulfilling its obligations.

Following discussion, a council member moved to transfer the appropriation to contingency and withhold disbursement until further council action. The motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. Staff noted that if council does not act by June 30 the appropriation would expire and a further council action would be required to reappropriate funds in a later fiscal year.

Why it matters: the appropriation supports a local cultural institution but council signaled it may withhold funds pending confirmation that the organization has complied with tax or reporting obligations to the city. The council vote publicly places the appropriation on hold and directs staff to hold those funds in contingency.

Next steps: staff will hold the $50,000 in contingency pending further council direction and any follow-up information regarding the organization's obligations to the city.