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Oak Harbor commissioners outline Chalkfest budget and funding ask ahead of council workshop
Summary
Commissioners reviewed the Chalkfest event business plan and funding gap; staff will present an ask to the City Council at the March 25 workshop seeking additional arts-fund support to reach a $70,000 budget for the summer festival (July 25–27 at Windjammer Park).
Oak Harbor Arts Commission members discussed the proposed Chalkfest event and a city funding request during the March 13 meeting, with staff planning to bring the full budget request to the City Council at a March 25 workshop.
Brian, Parks and Recreation staff, summarized an event business plan prepared with organizers and said the event budget target is $70,000. Funding sources mentioned in the draft include a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) grant award of $17,000 and $35,000 already budgeted from the city arts fund; staff will ask the City Council to consider an additional $23,000 from the arts-fund balance to close a projected shortfall. The $23,000 request includes an $18,000 shortfall to reach the $70,000 target plus $5,000 for city-run festival operations if the city assumes event management.
The commissioners discussed logistics and event hours. Brent, staff, asked about anticipated event hours and whether artists would be working on-site during daytime hours; Brian said he would follow up with Terry (event organizer) to confirm hours and noted park hours and permitting considerations. Cynthia, a commissioner online, said she expects the council will hear the Chalkfest funding presentation at the March 25 workshop and that the regular council meeting in April would be the date for formal budget approval.
Commissioners also discussed event management. Staff reported the Chamber declined to manage the festival and that the city may step in for event logistics, artist scheduling, accommodations and site security; if the city assumes management, staff said contracted event managers would include security and artist support as part of their scope.
No formal commission vote was recorded on the funding request during the March 13 meeting; staff will bring the funding ask and event details to the March 25 council workshop for council feedback and potential appropriation at a later regular meeting.
Key details
• Event: Chalkfest 2025, proposed for July 25–27, Windjammer Park.
• Budget target: $70,000 total.
• Identified funding: LTAC grant $17,000; arts fund budgeted $35,000.
• Funding requested from arts fund balance: $23,000 (includes $18,000 shortfall + $5,000 for festival operations if city manages the event).
• Next steps: staff will finalize event-hour details and security plans and will present the funding request to City Council at the March 25 workshop; if council approves, the request will return at a regular meeting for appropriation.
