Somers Point council approves RFP for summer beach concerts over committee objections

The Somers Point City Council on a roll-call vote approved a resolution to advertise a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2025 Summer Beach Concert Series, setting in motion a bidding process that several residents and volunteers said could upend a 32-year volunteer-run program.

The vote to authorize Resolution 39 of 2025 came after more than 20 minutes of discussion from council members and public comments warning that putting the concerts "out to bid" could jeopardize sponsorships, local relationships and the series' history. Councilmember Johnston cast the lone recorded no vote; Council members Owen, Dill, Garrity, McGuigan and Council President Haberkorn voted yes.

The RFP resolution directs city staff to advertise and solicit proposals for firms or organizations to produce the Summer Beach Concert Series. City solicitor Smith and administrator Frost described the RFP as a way to establish contractual parameters and allow the city to select the most qualified provider; they said the RFP does not itself award a contract.

Members of the Beach Concert Committee and local business owners urged the council to negotiate a contract with the committee's preferred nonprofit instead of launching an open bidding process. John LaRoe, who identified himself as a member of the Beach Concert Committee and volunteer photographer, said the committee had already begun grant work and sponsorship outreach and was "very surprised" to learn the council might require bids for the series after three decades of volunteer stewardship. "Please don't…