Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves bank account for PayPal/Venmo; commissioners discuss profit-sharing approach for fair-run events
Summary
The Morgan County Commission approved creating a new county bank account to support PayPal and Venmo transactions for the county fair and other events, and discussed treating profit-sharing agreements as advertising rather than facility-use to ensure consistent policy and avoid subsidizing private events.
The Morgan County Commission on July 1 approved opening a new county bank account to support PayPal and Venmo transactions for the county fair and similar events.
Finance and fair staff explained the county must open a bank account for third-party payment processors (PayPal and Venmo) rather than use the county's general fund account. The account would receive event payments; staff said fees for nonprofit rates may be lower (Venmo nonprofit fees were cited) and that accounting could still delineate revenues by event.
Commissioner Blocker moved to create the new county bank account for the purpose of setting up county PayPal and Venmo accounts for the fair and other events; Commissioner Newton seconded. The motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.
Separately, the commission discussed a proposed profit-sharing agreement for a county “fun run” organized in conjunction with the Morgan County Fair (presented by On Hill Events). Commissioners raised concerns about equal protection and taxpayer subsidization when the county waives fees for private or for-profit events. Garrett (county staff) and other commissioners suggested treating such arrangements as advertising agreements — i.e., the county would help advertise a privately run event and accept a percentage payment rather than waive facility fees — and recommended applying consistent criteria across events.
The commission approved the fun run agreement subject to clarifications on paragraph one (date and time) and compliance items including insurance; Commissioner Newton made the motion to approve the agreement subject to the safety clarifications and a date certain, and Commissioner Fackrell seconded. The motion passed.
Staff and commissioners emphasized that any fee waivers that would affect separately elected offices (for example, sheriff department fees) require those offices' approval, and that large events may require EMS standby, special-event permits, and earlier start times to avoid conflicts with livestock auction and other fair activities.
