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Council approves limited event spending, moves remainder of town events budget to contingency after debate over unpaid shred event
Summary
Council approved $14,600 in immediate event appropriations and moved the remainder of the town events allocation to contingency after a contentious debate over an unbudgeted Sept. 4 shred event and the handling of event spending.
A dispute over a Sept. 4 shred event and the town’s event budget dominated the Town of Blythewood Council meeting Sept. 22, prompting votes to reassess event spending and to approve a small slate of immediate appropriations.
Town Administrator Ed Driggers told council the shred event (vendor billed $1,599.60) had taken place though the expense was not in the FY2025‑26 budget. Council members questioned how the event proceeded without an allocated line item and whether staff or the mayor had authority to commit funds. Council initially moved to postpone action on payment and related items; later the council reconsidered that postponement, combined the two related agenda items (the shred event invoice and a broader town‑events item) and returned to decide specific appropriations and a process for moving forward.
After discussion and a short recess to reconcile historical event expenses, council approved a package of immediate appropriations totaling $14,600 to cover specific events: Purple Heart ($3,000), Christmas tree lighting ($1,500), Christmas parade ($8,500) and the Shred 360 event ($1,600). Council also approved a $5,500 hospitality‑tax appropriation earmarked for Veterans Day (the town’s agreement with the Blythewood Museum and Historical Society) and directed that the remaining portion of the $85,000 town events line be moved to contingency for future prioritization and a workshop review.
Council members repeatedly pressed for a formal security plan and clearer prior notice for events that carry security costs. Several members said they were concerned about staff or the mayor proceeding with events that lacked council appropriation. The town attorney advised the council that legal options for recouping funds or restraining unauthorized expenditures are limited and may require court action in extreme cases. Council asked staff to produce a workshop schedule and to circulate expense and contract details to members before further event commitments.
The vendor invoice for the Sept. 4 shred event was approved as part of the combined action; council also instructed staff to send council dates for a workshop to revisit the town events line and to develop a security plan for large gatherings.
