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Commission approves revised Artown sponsorship: $51,150 in waived park fees for Rancho San Rafael dates after staff confirms events will be free
Summary
After tabling earlier in the meeting to clarify ticketing, staff confirmed Artown’s Rancho San Rafael events on listed July 2025 dates would be free and open to the public; the commission then approved a revised request to waive $51,150 in park facility fees as sponsorship recognition.
Parks Operations Superintendent Stephanie D’Arcy told commissioners that a previously approved sponsorship request for Artown had included extra dates in error and that a revised request reduced the waived park facility fees from $87,400 to $51,150 for the correct dates at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. Commissioners expressed concern about whether the events scheduled for July were ticketed headliner dates or free, publicly accessible events.
Commissioners tabled the item to seek clarification. During a short recess staff reached Artown and confirmed that the Rancho events listed for July 1, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and 31 would be free and open to the public. With that clarification, Commissioner Mark Newman moved to approve the revised sponsorship — waiving $51,150 in park facility rental and use fees in consideration of Washoe County being recognized as a sponsor — and Commissioner McCurdy seconded. The motion carried on voice vote.
Commissioners requested a staff follow-up to draft clearer written guidelines or a matrix for future fee-waiver requests so the commission and event promoters have transparent criteria going forward. Commissioners also noted that earlier approvals from January remained valid and that staff will provide confirmation on which Artown dates are ticketed versus free where needed.
