Budget committee places Akron 200 Inc. bicentennial funding on consent agenda

The Budget and Finance Committee voted to place an ordinance on the consent agenda authorizing the mayor or his designee to enter into a contract without public bid advertisement with Akron 200 Incorporated to prepare and plan the city's 2025 bicentennial events and programming. Committee members recorded unanimous consent to send the item to the council consent agenda tonight.

Mr. Greer, the staff presenter, told the committee the city is "in full swing of our bicentennial year" and thanked Councilwoman Connor and Councilwoman Boyes for serving on the bicentennial commission. He said the funds would support a yearlong slate of signature events, including a downtown parade planned for July 5, a homecoming celebration the same afternoon, a bicentennial bobblehead night with the Akron RubberDucks, and a closing ceremony on Akron's anniversary date, Dec. 6, at Lock 3 Park. Mr. Greer also mentioned planned capital projects such as a Simon Perkins statue and support for neighborhood events in all 24 of Akron's neighborhoods.

The presenter said the payment is funded from the JED fund and described the amount as "the same amount that we contributed last year." The transcript includes inconsistent numeric references: at one point the amount is spoken as "2 50" and later as "$20.25." The committee did not state a clear dollar amount on the record in this transcript; Councilman Fusco asked to see a budget and Mr. Greer said the budget could be sent to him.

After discussion, the item was moved to consent; the committee chair asked for a motion for consent, and a motion and second were recorded, with the committee voting in favor and placing the ordinance on the consent agenda for the council meeting that night. No amendments to the ordinance were made during committee discussion.

Councilmembers present recorded appreciation for the commission's work; Mr. Greer said he would provide a budget to committee members on request.