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Port Richey Centennial committee approves budgets, books Johnny Cash tribute and sets parade plan
Summary
The Port Richey Centennial Committee approved several event budgets March 18, including a $10,000 mayor’s ball allocation, a $1,500 kickoff-parade budget and a $500 business-expo budget; it also approved booking a Johnny Cash tribute and a DJ/photo‑booth package and voted to charge no entry fee for the kickoff parade.
Port Richey Centennial Committee members approved key budgets and vendor contracts at a March 18 meeting, voting to increase the mayor’s ball budget to $10,000, fund a May 18 kickoff parade and business expo, book a Johnny Cash tribute act and buy a DJ/photo‑booth package for the mayor’s ball.
The committee voted to set the business expo budget at $500 for swag and printed materials, approved a $1,500 budget for parade entertainment and parade-related expenses, and raised the mayor’s ball budget from its prior level to $10,000. The group also approved a $3,000 miscellaneous/advertising line intended to cover banners, shirts and challenge-coin costs. Committee members agreed that the kickoff parade will be free to enter for participants.
Why it matters: Port Richey’s centennial events — including a parade, a business expo and an evening celebration billed as the mayor’s ball on May 18 — require final vendor commitments and a clear spending plan. The committee’s approvals provide staff direction and authorized spending levels so organizers can finalize contracts, print materials and begin event promotion.
Most significant outcomes and immediate details
- Business expo budget: The committee approved a $500 line item to assemble and print Centennial-branded swag bags and marketing materials for the business expo. Adam Thompson, the committee member who presented the finance update, said the committee’s payment portal and sponsor receipts leave the centennial fund “sitting at about $41,114.29 collected.”
- Kickoff parade budget and entry fee: Members approved a $1,500 budget to secure parade entertainment and event costs. The committee voted that there will be no entry fee for parade participants; the motion to not charge passed by voice vote.
- Mayor’s ball: Committee members voted to increase the mayor’s ball budget to $10,000 to cover venue, food and entertainment contingencies. Separately the committee approved hiring a DJ/photo‑booth vendor; the staff summary in the agenda listed a combined package and an optional uplighting add-on. The vendor requires a 50% non‑refundable deposit to secure the date.
- Entertainment bookings: The committee approved hiring Bill Fornes to perform a two‑hour Johnny Cash tribute at the May 18 event at the rate discussed in the meeting materials. That booking passed by motion and voice vote.
- Miscellaneous advertising and challenge coins: The committee approved moving $1,800 into the miscellaneous/advertising line to cover production of challenge coins and related promotional items. Committee members discussed an invoice for challenge coins reported at about $1,807 and agreed to allocate the coins’ cost from the miscellaneous advertising line rather than entirely from the mayor’s ball budget.
- Vendor flash sale and vendor fees: To encourage vendor sign‑ups for the business expo, the committee authorized a one‑week “flash sale” (Sunday, March 23–Sunday, March 30) reducing inside vendor fee from $75 to $50 and outside vendor fee from $50 to $25; payment instructions for flash‑sale registrations will direct vendors to pay City Hall (check/cash) rather than use the portal.
Other discussion and next steps
- Parade route and staging: Committee members discussed staging at the Walmart parking area, using Nick’s Park as overflow and options for routing through local streets (Old Post, Quist, Bay Boulevard) if participant numbers require a secondary route. Staff were asked to consult police and fire on traffic control and emergency access plans before finalizing the route.
- Time capsule: Members discussed sizes, materials and content for a new time capsule (stainless‑steel tube and/or sealed box were mentioned) and agreed to continue the time‑capsule item at the next meeting; staff were asked to return pricing and size options.
- Printed materials, shirts and banners: The committee approved printing Centennial shirts and a general event banner; staff will circulate proofs with corrected name spacing before production. Invitations (25 copies for dignitaries) and 400 two‑sided gloss tickets were approved for order at prices in the meeting packet.
- Logistics and outreach: Members asked staff to make a social‑media post and website update for vendor flash‑sale details, and to post the business‑expo flyer on bulletin boards at Waterfront and Nick’s Park.
Committee quotes
“We’re sitting at about $41,114.29 collected,” Adam Thompson said during the budget update, describing receipts to date and available funds for allocation.
“All in favor?” Chairman John Eric Hoover called repeatedly during roll calls on budget motions; votes on the principal budget items carried by voice vote.
Looking ahead: Staff will finalize vendor contracts, confirm parade traffic plans with public safety agencies, print approved materials and present a time‑capsule price comparison at the committee’s next meeting. The committee’s next agenda items include finalizing parade routing, confirming vendor lists, and revisiting time‑capsule specifications.
