Carrollton approves participation in Texas Events Trust Fund for Live Golf Dallas with $83,549 local match cap

Carrollton City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the city to participate in the State of Texas Events Trust Fund to support Live Golf Dallas’ planned tournament at MeriDAle (Bridal) Golf Club in June 2025, with a local funding match not to exceed $83,549.

The council’s action follows presentations from the event organizer and city staff about logistics, attendance and neighborhood outreach. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Christopher Axberg moved approval; Councilmember Tim Klein seconded. The motion passed; Mayor Pro Tem Richard Fleming voted no and Councilmember Palomo was absent.

The resolution does not grant discretionary city spending that will not be repaid, council members emphasized. “If those numbers are absolutely correct, then they would get zero from the state,” the mayor said during discussion, describing the program’s reimbursement and audit process. City staff said event reimbursements to the organizer are audited by the state comptroller and the city’s reimbursement under the contract will follow submitted receipts.

Jenny Zolfelder, director of economic development, briefed council on the event schedule and volunteer expectations. “The event will kick off on Friday, June 27 and conclude on Sunday, June 29,” Zolfelder said, adding gates open at 9 a.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. She said organizers expect about 30,000 total attendees and that approximately 18,000 of those would come from outside the Carrollton market.

Councilmember Richard Fleming, who opposed the measure, cited economic-data concerns and transparency questions. Fleming said his review of hotel-tax and sales-tax figures showed negative year-over-year variances for Carrollton around the tournament period and questioned whether the local economic benefit had materialized in 2024. “I’m not for this project,” Fleming said. “I don’t see the… tax benefit for the city.” He also raised concerns about the tournament’s funding source, noting media reporting about the involvement of entities tied to Saudi investment.

Other council members cited non-tax benefits: exposure for Carrollton, volunteer opportunities and community engagement. “It’s an event. It’s a signature event for the city,” one council member said, urging that the city view the opportunity partly as branding and civic engagement.

The council record shows the motion to approve item 10 was made by Councilmember Christopher Axberg and seconded by Councilmember Tim Klein; the motion passed with five yes votes, one no (Mayor Pro Tem Richard Fleming) and one absent (Councilmember Palomo). The mayor noted the event’s receipts and vouchers would be audited by the comptroller and that the city’s reimbursement would follow the program rules.

The ordinance authorizing the local match instructs the city manager to participate in the state program and sets the maximum local match at $83,549. The contract and supporting invoices that trigger reimbursements are subject to state audit and to the city’s contract with the event organizer.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution authorizing participation in the State of Texas Events Trust Fund program for Live Golf Dallas (MeriDAle/Bridal Golf Club) — local match not to exceed $83,549. Motion: Councilmember Christopher Axberg. Second: Councilmember Tim Klein. Outcome: Approved. Vote tally captured in the meeting record: Mayor (yes), Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Christopher Axberg (mover, yes), Councilmember Tim Klein (second, yes), Councilmember Palacios (yes), Councilmember Braxford (yes), Councilmember Nancy Cline (yes), Mayor Pro Tem Richard Fleming (no). Councilmember Palomo absent.

Clarifying details and next steps

City staff said organizers must submit expense vouchers to the comptroller’s Events Trust Fund; state review determines final reimbursement. The city’s contractual receipts and any city-paid advances would be subject to those audits. Organizers have provided neighborhood outreach materials and the police department held a community meeting for nearby residents, staff said. The city will receive copies of receipts, and staff said they will make them available to council as provided under the contract and state rules.

Why this matters

Council members were divided on weighing measurable short-term tax receipts against non-tax benefits such as civic exposure, volunteer support for local nonprofits and use of a major city facility. The council’s approval allows the city to participate in the reimbursement program while retaining audit safeguards and a capped local commitment.

What’s next

Staff will finalize contract documents and the city will administer the local match under the terms of the agreement and the State of Texas Events Trust Fund program. Organizers are required to submit receipts for audit; the state comptroller will determine final reimbursement.