Little Elm Council approves Diwali event sponsorship; parking revenue to credit organizer

The Little Elm Town Council on Wednesday approved terms for the town's annual Diwali event, agreeing to a $10,500 sponsorship and to credit parking revenue above that amount back to the event organizer, Little Elm Angels Foundation.

Town staff described the town's role this year as primarily a financial sponsor rather than an event manager. Under the approved arrangement, the town will waive certain "soft costs" (such as park or pavilion fees that would otherwise be charged) and the foundation will be responsible for the event's hard costs, including public-safety needs spelled out by the town's special events policy. Staff also said the agreement requires safety measures such as fencing and designated security checkpoints.

Council members first removed the Diwali item from the consent agenda for additional discussion earlier in the meeting; staff returned with a revised agreement describing the sponsorship and parking-revenue arrangement. The town manager and event staff said the intent is not to create a revenue stream for the town: the sponsorship plus fees are intended to cover town-required costs while the event producer handles production and cleanup.

A motion to approve the revised event agreement passed in open session. One council member announced they would abstain from the vote; the remaining voting members voted to approve the item. The council did not disclose additional contract details in open session beyond the sponsorship amount, the parking-revenue credit mechanism and the requirement that event production meet town standards in the special events policy.