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Tax and Finance committee approves $1,000 for Rotary fireworks, considers Edgewood Fest donation
Summary
Effingham County Tax and Finance Committee approved a $1,000 donation for the F&M Newton Rotary fireworks and discussed a donation request from Edgewood Fest; members raised concerns the payments could put the hotel/motel fund slightly over budget but said the fund has surplus from Airbnb and Anthony Acres revenue.
The Effingham County Tax and Finance Committee on a voice vote approved a $1,000 donation to the F&M Newton Rotary for a noon fireworks display and discussed a separate request from Edgewood Fest for county support.
Committee members said the proposed $1,000 payment — moved on the floor by Mike — would cause the hotel/motel fund to exceed the current line-item budget, but they also noted available surplus from recent Airbnb receipts and income from Anthony Acres. A committee member said the hotel/motel account had expended about $34,000 of a $35,000 budget, and the $1,000 payment would push that figure over the stated line item.
The Edgewood Fest organizer, identified in correspondence delivered to the committee, asked the county to “consider donating to our annual celebration” to help cover fireworks, music, inflatables and advertising. The committee discussed the request during new business but took formal action only on the Rotary fireworks donation.
Mike made the motion to fund the Rotary fireworks, which was seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members debated whether showing a negative balance at year-end was acceptable and noted that any overage could be covered by appropriating additional funds next year. One member urged a future discussion on how to set the hotel/motel budget given rising expenditures since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members also noted that recent revenue from Airbnb rentals and receipts from Anthony Acres had increased the hotel/motel fund’s surplus, providing the cash to pay the $1,000 without an immediate shortfall. No formal appropriation beyond the voice approval was recorded at the meeting.
The committee did not take a final vote on a donation to Edgewood Fest at this meeting; that request was presented and discussed during new business but was not the subject of a recorded motion.
The committee chair closed discussion and the motion to fund the Rotary fireworks carried by voice vote.
