Decatur City Council voted to approve an investment agreement with Peachtree Entertainment LLC, operator of the Rock the South festival, committing the city to a prorated contribution of up to $5 million over five years conditioned on attendance and tax‑payment benchmarks, insurance and indemnity protections.

Council members said the contract now includes clearer benchmarks and repayment mechanisms that were not in the earlier letter of intent. Under the agreement the promoter commits to an average of 15,000 tickets per day for a three‑day event; if that level is not met the contract provides for pro‑rata reimbursement to the city. The presenter said the first city payment would be scheduled for Nov. 5 if this years conditions are met, with subsequent payments scheduled Oct. 1 in later years. The promoter must verify ticket counts and show taxes were paid within 60 days of the event.

The contract requires the promoter to invest $50,000 annually in public infrastructure on the purchased property. It also includes terms on parking and camping: a 10 percent camping fee tied to at least 750 camping spaces and a 50 percent split of parking revenue tied to an anticipated 7,000 parking spaces. Staff said the promoter is under contract to buy roughly 139 acres of the roughly 179‑acre site and holds an option on the remaining acreage for additional parking if needed.

Insurance and indemnity provisions were emphasized. Staff said the agreement requires general liability coverage and a separate liquor (dram‑shop) policy and that the city would be named an additional insured; presenters cited $5 million liability and $5 million liquor‑liability coverage as part of the package. The promoter also agreed to indemnify the city for claims arising from operation of the event, and staff said there are personal guarantees from individuals identified in the record as Nathan Ball and Shane Quick.

Public commenters voiced mixed reactions. Joe Marshall, a Decatur resident, asked the council to require use of organized stage labor for the event, saying, "a professional organization like [IATSE] whose business is to set up stages ... got a really good work record, safety, on time delivery." Another longtime volunteer and event promoter, who did not give a name, opposed city support for a private, for‑profit event and cited a past violent incident at a similar festival while arguing city funds are needed for other local venues and volunteer events.

Council members who spoke said they believed the contract improvements added protections the city needed, pointed to expected economic returns tied to sales taxes and hotel occupancy, and noted planning discussions with local law enforcement, the state Department of Transportation and city departments to address logistics and public‑safety concerns. After discussion, council called roll and recorded five "Aye" votes.

Council also read Resolution 25293340, announcing the swearing‑in of elected officials and a council organizational meeting scheduled for Nov. 3, 2025, at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion, 802 A Wilson Street NW, Hickory, Alabama. No vote on that resolution was recorded during the meeting.