Council directs staff to reexamine costs for 'Christmas in the plaza'

Councilors voted to give the city administrator direction to reexamine expenses for the Christmas in the plaza event, with the goal of aligning event costs with the reduced tourism appropriation while preserving key community programming.

"I'll go ahead and make a motion, to give direction to the city administrator to reexamine expenses for the Christmas in the plaza event," said a councilor who moved the directive; the motion was seconded and carried in a recorded vote.

City staff said they would examine options such as scaled-back performers or using local choirs and other lower-cost participants to reduce the city's expenditure while keeping community events in place. Staff will return with recommendations after the review.