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Commissioners weigh policy for county sponsorships after Burlingame event request
Summary
Representatives of the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce asked Osage County commissioners on Feb. 11 for $2,000 to help pay costs for Rodeo Days and Country Christmas; commissioners discussed creating a standing sponsorship fund but took no formal vote, asking staff to research existing resolutions and program options.
Burlingame Chamber of Commerce volunteers asked the Osage County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to help cover rising costs for two annual community events and commissioners agreed to explore creating a county sponsorship fund, but made no commitment to the group’s specific request.
The chamber’s representatives asked the board to consider a $2,000 contribution toward rodeo- and holiday-themed events in Burlingame. The group said Rodeo Days could cost roughly $7,000 and Country Christmas roughly $4,600 this year and that the chamber raises the remainder through vendor fees and donations.
Atkinson and Klein, who identified themselves as Burlingame Chamber representatives, said the events bring residents together and serve visitors from surrounding counties. “Rodeo Days has been around for more than 50 years and Country Christmas has been around for more than 30 years,” one presenter said. “We’re here to see if you as the county commissioners would be willing to help contribute some money to help sponsor these events.”
Commissioners discussed existing models for appropriated event funds, including a fair-board fund the county already maintains. One commissioner said a fair appropriation fund is set at $7,500 and suggested creating a comparable line for towns’ community events, with towns submitting invoices for reimbursement rather than receiving one-off cash grants.
Another commissioner expressed concern about setting precedent if the county provides direct support to city-organized events, asking whether county resources should be used to subsidize municipal activities. An alternative raised during the discussion was using the county attorney’s diversion fund to support community programs; commissioners asked staff to check whether that option is appropriate and allowable.
No motion to award funds to Burlingame was made. Instead, commissioners asked county staff to look for an existing resolution that might govern event sponsorships, to draft a potential program modeled on the fair fund, and to return with options for a future decision.
The chamber’s presenters left a proposed budget and said they would follow up with county staff. Commissioners told the volunteers to leave documentation with the county clerk so staff could review it as they prepare next steps.
The discussion was procedural: commissioners signaled interest in a consistent policy and in avoiding ad hoc requests, but did not approve any immediate payment to Burlingame.
