Sellersburg parks board schedules Santa parade, approves $4,000 backup for holiday lights and discusses staffing and events

The Town of Sellersburg Parks Board on an evening meeting set the annual Santa Claus parade for Saturday, Dec. 6, approved spending up to $4,000 for park Christmas lights if outside sponsorship is not secured and spent much of its meeting weighing longer-term staffing and fundraising strategies for parks events.

Board member Charlie Smith told the board he had received a letter from “Santa Claus” and said the Grinch has agreed to participate, and the board voted to hold the parade on Dec. 6. “So 12 6 it is. Yeah. Let Santa know,” Smith said during the discussion. The motion to schedule the parade passed 4-0.

The board also voted 4-0 to approve a proposal from the current owner of US Lawn to install Christmas lights, with the condition that the parks board will not exceed $4,000 in town funds if a sponsor does not cover the cost. Smith described negotiations with the contractor and efforts to secure sponsorships to offset the town’s expense. “He sent me over a proposal. I’ve solicited a sponsorship for that to offset those that expense to town,” Smith said. He noted that as a government entity the town cannot prepay for services and that payment must follow invoicing and work performed.

Board members spent time reviewing recent events and revenue impacts. Smith provided a recap of the Brass Rabbit event, praising local business support and volunteer coordination. “She is the soul of that event for sure,” he said, thanking Hannah of Chosen Goods for organizing the event. Smith said the event drew many visitors, vendors ran out of food, and that there were “6 or 7 more booths this year” than previously.

Much of the meeting centered on parks operations and whether the board should pursue a dedicated parks superintendent or events manager. Smith outlined limits on his time, noting he oversees multiple departments and that pool season and event management require substantial temporary work. “Maybe it needs to be considered that parks look at potentially hiring a legitimate park superintendent,” he said. The board discussed holding a workshop after the new year to review possible job descriptions, reporting relationships and revenue strategies such as ticketed events or sponsorships.

Other operational items discussed included the splash park, which Smith said was closed for the season but not yet winterized, and uncertainty about continuing food trucks in October because of reduced vendor interest and shorter daylight hours. Smith described the pool as the primary source of parks revenue and said a shorter season constrains earnings: “The only revenue generated on you have is the pool. And that basically offsets the expense more or less of the pool, but the revenues of the pool because of shorter season.”

No ordinance, statute or external regulatory citation was invoked during the meeting.

The meeting opened by adopting the evening’s agenda and approving allowance claims; both motions passed on voice votes with 4-0 tallies. The parks board adjourned following the items above.

Looking ahead, board members agreed to pursue a workshop in the new year to explore staffing options, revenue opportunities and event planning, and to continue solicitation of a sponsor for this year’s holiday lights to reduce town expense.