The Downtown Development Board voted unanimously to provide up to $15,000 in sponsorship support for Wheels on the Water, a one‑day car, truck and jeep show planned for Sept. 20, 2025 in Coachman Park and the adjacent block of Cleveland Street.

Vicki Shire, identified in the meeting as CR division manager, presented the high-impact funding request from Judge’s Car and Truck Shows. The application listed a total estimated budget of $29,820, of which the applicant pledged $7,620 and requested $22,200 from the board. The proposal described entertainment, vendor booths, a judged vehicle competition and family activities with expected attendance between 2,000 and 3,000 across the day.

Board members pressed the applicant on several budget items. Council member Cotton noted that roughly 35 percent of the event’s initial budget would be funded by the board’s sponsorship and questioned the insurance coverage estimate; the applicant replied the insurance figure was an agent estimate and a firm quote would be provided later. Council member Menino and others challenged higher line items, including $4,200 for event staff and $7,300 for entertainment, suggesting those could be trimmed for a first‑year event.

The event organizer, identified during the meeting as Mr. Judge, said organizers would pursue merchant participation on Cleveland Street, provide vendor space at no additional cost to downtown restaurants, and conduct outreach through car-show networks and paid advertising, noting a newsletter reach of about 6,000 and partnerships with regional car-show media.

After discussion, board member Cotton moved — and another member seconded — to reduce the board’s contribution and approve a $15,000 sponsorship and city partnership for eligible direct costs and city fees. The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion points that may affect the event’s final budget and operations included: confirmation of insurance limits, fine‑tuning entertainment and staffing line items for the inaugural year, merchant activation plans for Cleveland Street vendors, and contingency plans if the board-funded amount is reduced. The applicant indicated the event could be adjusted if full funding was not provided, including cutting trophies, entertainment elements or staffing.