Gautier officials approved a third amendment to the post‑opening agreement with PTP Country LLC for operations at the Sound Amphitheater on July 15, confirming a two‑year extension of the promoter arrangement and clarifying ticket fee arrangements.
Council discussion focused on how the promoter compensation and facility fees are computed. City staff explained the per‑ticket $8.50 fee discussed in the meeting is a pass‑through collected by ticketing platforms and remitted to the city, not an extra charge directly assessed by the promoter. "That $8.50 is paid for by the ticket purchaser," a city staff member said during the discussion. Council members and staff also described a guaranteed minimum annual payment the promoter provides as part of the contract (captured in the amendment) and noted that sales tax and parking revenue remain additional sources of city income beyond the contract amounts.
The nut graf: Amendment 3 extends the promoter agreement for an additional two‑year term and codifies fees and promotional spending allowances, including a promoter marketing allocation and the per‑ticket pass‑through. Council members asked about exclusivity and whether other promoters could book shows; staff clarified the contract does not prevent co‑promotions or outside promoters from working in the venue in certain circumstances and that the promoter guarantees a baseline number of concerts and revenue to the city.
Council members asked operational questions: whether the promoter is exclusive, how winter months might be used for events, and how facility fees and ticket surcharges interact with ticket prices. Staff said the promoter is a non‑exclusive promoter who guarantees a set of shows and annual revenue; other promoters can co‑promote or book additional events under city oversight. Councilman Jackson, who said he works in the promotion business, asked about opportunities for other promoters to fill open dates and was told multiple promoters can be involved on different shows or co‑promotions.
Ending: The council voted to approve the amendment; staff said they will continue to monitor amphitheater bookings and revenue remittance and to report financial results to the council according to the agreement's reporting schedule.