Levan council debates $1,010 "fish grab" for youth event; concerns over cost, animal welfare and turnout

Levan councilors and event organizers debated whether to include a "fish grab" activity at an upcoming town event after a quoted vendor price of $1,010 for 160 fish.

Council and staff described the fish as "10 inches good size," intended so children could catch them and, if they choose, keep them. A council member (Speaker 2) summarized the vendor quote and said the youth council members who responded "didn't think it was worth it." The same council member relayed that Mackenzie had asked whether there was a different source for the fish and later suggested raising the fee for participants.

Council discussion centered on cost and practicality. Council members raised these points: the quoted cost would make the activity more than 10% of the event's original $10,000 budget; leftover fish and animal-welfare concerns were a risk in hot weather; historical experience showed participants sometimes returned fish to the water to let others try; and charging per attempt might reduce participation by larger families.

At one point, a council member said, "I just to be honest with you, I think it's a waste of a thousand dollars. My opinion." Another council member noted the activity had cost about $120 in past years and that a price over $1,000 was unexpected. Participants discussed alternatives such as using rubber ducks or prize-based games, or asking a family to donate the cost; one resident, Tracy Jackman, was mentioned as a potential donor if her family chose to cover the expense.

No formal vote to fund or cancel the activity was recorded in the transcript. Council members said they would defer to the youth council's opinion, and that donations or a private party buying the fish would make it possible to include the activity without using town funds. One council member summarized the likely decision path: if the youth council and town council conclude the activity is cost-prohibitive, staff will tell Mackenzie the town will not pursue it; if a donor covers the cost or buys the fish, the activity could proceed.

The discussion included direct references to prior events and attendee behavior; council members repeatedly raised concerns about heat and the fish's survivability during daytime hours. Several council members recommended a morning slot if the activity were to proceed and emphasized that ordering and invoicing procedures would need to be handled properly if an outside donor purchased the fish.

Ending: No formal council action was taken; the youth council's preference and any donor commitment will determine whether the fish grab happens.