Council reviews FY25–26 special revenue recommendations; Findlay Park opening, festival funding and hospitality-tax trade-offs draw scrutiny

Missy Kaufman, assistant city manager for strategic initiatives and innovation, presented the city—ouncil with staff recommendations for FY25–26 special revenue allocations drawn from the state 5% accommodations tax and local hospitality-tax balances. Kaufman told the council the packet includes funding recommendations as well as a list of eligible park capital projects that remain unfunded.

"We have 2 funding sources," Kaufman said, explaining that the state accommodations tax 5% general-purpose portion and a hospitality-tax reserve are the main sources under discussion. She said the hospitality-tax budget in the FY25–26 materials showed about $1.3 million unallocated and that one $250,000 hospitality-tax carryforward tied to the "Silicon South" project was being recommended for reallocation because staff had received little follow-up from the applicant.

The council discussed recommendations tied to Findlay Park, which staff said is scheduled to open Nov. 15 and will appear on the consent agenda later in the day for a change order needed to complete the project. John Katz, who staff described as programming Findlay, told council the park is being programmed actively and could host larger events. "It can hold up," Katz said, noting the full set of stages and areas; he said a maximized, multi-stage configuration could host a very large crowd.

Roy Brasley, who identified himself as representing the Brasley Foundation and as a festival organizer, asked the council to hold $500,000 for a reorganized 3 Rivers festival and said he had begun securing artists for an April 4, 2026 date. "We've now locked in 04/04/2026," Brasley said, adding that he had contracted with some headline acts and started marketing and sponsorship outreach. Brasley said the project's total production budget would be "about" $900,000 and that private sponsorships and ticket sales were part of the funding plan.

Council members expressed caution and asked organizers for more structure and documentation before the council would commit large amounts of hospitality-tax funds. One council member summarized the concern: large sums require contracts, deposit schedules and a business plan. Staff and council asked Brasley and his team to return with contracts, a clarified budget and an execution plan; council asked that John Katz and Brasley coordinate on site logistics. "If you can tell, $600,000 goes a long way for parks and rec and alternative project. ... Put some structure to it," a council member said.

Staff said some items recommended in the memo are time-sensitive and were proposed now so contractors already on site can complete add-ons for the park's opening; other hospitality-tax items that missed this funding round could reapply in a later cycle.

No final funding award for 3 Rivers or other contested items was recorded at the work session; staff told council the allocations included in the meeting materials reflect the amounts staff recommends but that additional council direction is required before money is reallocated from carryforwards or the hospitality-tax reserve.