Riverton volunteer arts group details events, equipment purchases and asks council for $12,500 operating budget

Scott, a volunteer with Riverton Community Arts, told the Riverton City Council the group logged roughly 552 cumulative volunteer hours last year and reviewed a slate of community events, equipment purchases and a proposed operating budget for fiscal 2025–26.

The presentation said the arts group supported city events including Miss Riverton, Veterans Day programming and a community theater run. Scott said the group used funds from rentals and sponsorships to purchase a shared electric concert piano, a closed-circuit television system for production, an outdoor sound system and updated rigging and backstage equipment. He asked the council to include $12,500 in the city’s operating budget for 2025–26; Scott said the current fiscal year allocation was $7,500.

The request, Scott said, would cover incidentals, lighting and sound upkeep and a planned purchase of engineered stage lifts. He also listed capital wish‑list items — a fully enclosed equipment booth to protect about $17,000 of gear (Scott referenced an estimated replacement/build cost of roughly $22,000) and a short‑throw projector — and told the council that a complete set of the items mentioned could put one‑time capital needs in the “$40,000 to $50,000” range.

Council members praised the volunteers. “I think it’s very important that we acknowledge that you’re a volunteer,” Council member Broker told Scott. Council member McKay asked for clearer budget detail separating funds that go to the Jazz Band, the Arts Council and general events; Scott said the jazz band has its own line item. Council member Perucci asked staff to clarify differences between multiple budget line items for arts programming and how each pot is used.

Scott flagged a couple of internal reporting inconsistencies in his slides: he said the number of volunteers shown for 1 past production was incorrect but that the volunteer-hour totals were accurate. He also described how rental fees for technical services are collected by the arts group (ticket sales remain with the producing organization) and said the organization vets show finances to confirm public facility use is not being used to funnel large private payments.

The council did not take a direct vote on the arts group presentation. Several council members asked staff to provide the council with line‑item clarifications during the budget process.

Scott closed by describing plans for outdoor plaza programming in 2025, including a proposed jazz festival and additional theatrical productions, and said storage constraints and more lighting and shelving remained near‑term needs.