Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events Funding Rodeo topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakley council backs higher rodeo payouts, approves charity portion for upcoming pickleball tournament
Summary
Council members gave a general go-ahead to increase rodeo event payouts and approved a charitable beneficiary for the city’s upcoming pickleball tournament; staff will include the rodeo payout increase in the FY26 budget and coordinate ticketing and logistics.
Council members signaled support for raising the Oakley Rodeo event payout and discussed logistics for the Oakley City Pickleball Tournament and rodeo ticketing.
Rodeo: The rodeo committee proposed increasing per-event payouts from $20,000 to $25,000 (an incremental $5,000 per event), which would raise total event payouts to $45,000. Committee members and the council said they expect to cover the difference primarily through sponsorships; the council provided a preliminary nod to proceed and asked staff to include the increase in the fiscal 2026 budget process so it can be formally approved when the budget is amended in June. Council members said the rodeo committee has reserves that could cover temporary shortfalls and emphasized the goal of attracting higher-ranked riders and greater television coverage, which could require higher payouts.
Pickleball and charitable proceeds: Council reports indicated the city will hold the pickleball tournament on the weekend before the main rodeo weekend (Friday–Saturday). The council approved, in principle, designating proceeds for a local charity identified during the meeting as “Claire the Heart” (referred to in discussion as a Heart Warrior charity associated with the Root family). Councilors discussed bringing two food trucks and arranging a revenue-sharing plan (a percentage to the city) and asked staff and the event organizer to firm up accounting, insurance and sponsorship details.
Ticketing and logistics: Councilors discussed the city’s use of digital tickets (with delivery 72 hours before events) and requests from some patrons for printed tickets for large-group distribution. Staff said printed tickets can be produced closer to the event upon request (for example, about a month before the rodeo) to reduce scalping and fraudulent resale; council members agreed staff should continue to offer limited printed tickets for locals who request them. Councilors also discussed volunteer and logistical items for rodeo events (portable restrooms, volunteer pickup of fireworks, committee staffing and youth volunteers for junior rodeo events).
Council members asked staff to proceed with notifying the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) of the council’s intent to raise payouts so the committee can meet PRCA notification deadlines. Formal budget amendment and appropriation are expected as part of the upcoming budget cycle.
