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Commission approves event grants: $10,000 to six municipalities, Mayday and high‑school reunion funding via TDC
Summary
The commission approved multiple event funding measures: $10,000 grants for six municipalities, $5,000 each for three May 20 celebrations, and TDC funding of $5,000 per high‑school mega reunion; board required reporting and promotional acknowledgement.
The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve multiple event funding items, including $10,000 grants to six municipalities and targeted payments for Mayday/May 20 and high‑school reunion events.
The board approved a motion to allocate $10,000 each for six municipalities’ promotional activities tied to tourism and events. Commissioners asked that recipients include the county as a named partner on promotional materials and provide post‑event reporting on attendance and hotel impact to support future Tourist Development Council (TDC) reporting.
Mayor Russ Seals of Gretna, speaking for his city, told commissioners: "As a partner, the city of Gretna would love to have the support of the county." Commissioners and staff discussed using TDC rules and forms to document visitor counts, hotel stays and local economic impact.
On Mayday/May 20 events, the board approved $5,000 payments each to Havana, Chattahoochee and Sawdust organizers to support security and event costs; commissioners asked that staff clarify funding sources and return the accounting to the board. Finance staff said the proposed budget amendments draw on promotional activity funds previously allocated under ordinance 2307, transfers from unspent Black History Day budget lines and other departmental balances; staff asked motions be contingent on finance department reconciliations.
The Tourist Development Council will also fund high‑school "mega reunion" sponsorships at $5,000 per school for Havanadosa, Shanks, East Gadsden, Greensboro and another listed school; staff said Havana had already received its $5,000 and that the TDC requires each reunion organizer to submit documentation before payment. TDC staff asked that each sponsor acknowledge the county as a partner on promotional materials and submit post‑event data to support future tourism grant decisions.
Commissioners voted that recipients must provide post‑event reporting (attendance counts, hotel nights if applicable, promotional materials and a short video where available). Finance staff said some budget amendment numbers remain subject to final reconciliation in the county finance system; the board approved contingency language authorizing staff to adjust internal line items to complete the payments.
