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Council tables request to cut Civic Center fees for Titus County Fair and CASA; staff to recommend formal discount policy
Summary
After extended public comment from community members and a Civic Center board review, council voted unanimously to table a request from the Titus County Fair Association and CASA to reduce rental fees and asked staff to draft consistent criteria for nonprofit discounts.
The Mount Pleasant City Council on Jan. 28 tabled a request by the Titus County Fair Association and CASA for reduced Civic Center rental fees, directing city staff to draft a fee‑reduction policy to give consistent guidance to nonprofits.
The fair association asked the city to reduce its rental fee to $6,500 — roughly half the current rate, according to presenters — citing the event’s regional draw and volunteer base. The Civic Center board and former center managers described how prior nonprofit rates and operational costs have changed over time and urged the council to balance access with the facility’s operating costs.
Amy, a former Civic Center manager who previously kept detailed rental records, told council she remembered a nonprofit rate when she left city employment in 2019 and that operational costs have since increased. Garrett Houston, the city’s public‑works manager, reminded the council that rate reductions for the Civic Center will prompt similar requests from youth sports and other nonprofit organizations because “they’re all gonna expect the same.”
City staff recommended the council consider criteria and a standard policy before granting reductions. City Manager Justin Naha and other council members suggested a formal policy that sets objective criteria (e.g., regional reach, admission pricing, staffing or overtime costs) and a consistent percentage or formula for reductions. “Once you grant it to this body, then what about the next one?” the city manager said during the discussion.
Council member Redford moved to table the request pending further study; Council member Hinton seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Council instructed staff to gather cost‑of‑service data, including a daily operating cost estimate for the Civic Center and line‑item expense reports for high‑use events such as the fair, and return with a recommended policy and a proposed timeline for public input.
Ending: The fee‑reduction request will be revisited at a later meeting after staff compiles cost breakdowns, comparisons with peer cities, and draft criteria for nonprofit discounts.
