Council tables request to increase recreation entertainment budget after debate over Juneteenth sponsorship

Councilmembers discussed a request to increase the 2025 recreation and entertainment expense budget by $10,000 (from $95,000 to $105,000) after Dollar Bank offered a $10,000 presenting sponsorship for the city’s June 21 Juneteenth event.

Deanna Bremer Fisher, presenting for recreation, said the $10,000 sponsorship was confirmed and that the administration had been conservative in event spending. The finance director reported that the city had received a $231,000 retainer reconciliation refund (from “Rita”) and said revenues were ‘pacing well’; she also noted that the draft tax budget figures would be discussed later on the agenda.

Councilmembers disagreed about whether the Dollar Bank sponsorship had already been incorporated into the budget’s revenue line (Juneteenth event revenue shown as $16,000) or whether the sponsorship should increase the appropriated expense total. Councilmember King moved to increase the expense appropriation by $10,000 to honor the donation and allow planning; the motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Rock then moved to table the request pending clarification from the finance director; Councilmember Weiser seconded. The roll call on tabling was aye: King, Sacks, Wright, Weiser; the motion to table passed. The matter will return to the next council meeting with additional budget detail requested from the finance director.

Council discussed related revenues: a cited $16,000 Juneteenth revenue line (which the administration said included expected sponsorships), a $2,000 NOPEC sponsorship (historically used for performers), and vendor fees collected so far of $520. The recreation committee and administration indicated time pressure because the event is scheduled for June 21; council asked for written budget breakdowns before final action.