Winterglow board to produce 2025 event; city and group to negotiate MOU for transition

Liberty Lake city staff reported June 3 that they have reached a tentative agreement with the Winterglow Foundation for the foundation to produce the Winterglow display for the 2025 season while the two parties negotiate a memorandum of understanding describing staffing support and transition options for future years.

The development matters because Winterglow is a major seasonal event for the city: council and staff had been considering whether the city should buy the event’s display inventory and take production in‑house. A city staff memo under consideration included a $25,000 proposed purchase of lights, trailers and related display inventory. The tentative agreement pauses that immediate decision and secures production for the coming season while both sides plan a potential phased transition into city production in 2026 or agree on an alternate path.

City Administrator Mark (staff) summarized the status to council: “I have been able to, talk with the Winterglow board and reach a tentative agreement for the board to retain production of Winterglow for this season, and work on a transition to the city for the following season.” The city said the tentative arrangement stops the June 16 deadline tied to a proposed inventory purchase and will give council and staff more time to negotiate details — including whether the city will provide additional staff support this year and the degree of volunteer involvement.

Budget and funding: Lodging‑tax funds previously authorized for Winterglow were discussed as a reimbursement mechanism. City finance staff explained the lodging tax committee had authorized the expense on a reimbursement basis and characterized the lodging‑tax monies as pass‑through funds. “These are pass through funds, to characterize them, I guess, more appropriately,” a city staff member said during the meeting. Council members repeatedly emphasized that any additional city staff time needed to support production must be identified and budgeted.

Council and staff next steps: staff and the Winterglow Foundation will draft an MOU that specifies the level of city staffing support for 2025, roles and responsibilities for production, and a timeline for any transfer or purchase of inventory. Council members asked that the MOU be brought back at a future meeting for review; staff said they hope to return with the agreement at the next council meeting and would include details about staff time and any additional costs. Several council members stressed they want the MOU to make clear the city is not committing to produce Winterglow after 2025 unless the council explicitly approves that course in a later budget or council action.

Public input and volunteers: several council members and public commenters said they want to preserve the event for residents and encouraged recruiting business sponsors and more volunteer help. Staff noted that last night’s town hall produced a list of volunteers willing to help; the city will include outreach to community organizations and potential sponsors as part of the planning work.

Ending: The tentative MOU secures the 2025 event while allowing time for a measured decision about future production and any inventory purchases. Council directed staff to prepare and return a formal MOU and associated budget implications for council consideration.