Council contracts new organizer for St. Petersburg MLK parade amid debate over costs

Saint Petersburg — The City Council approved a three‑year contract naming Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival as the city’s new event planner for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade after a heated public and council discussion about cultural value and budget priorities.

George Smith (Chief Equity Officer) said the RFP process produced two viable proposals and the evaluation committee recommended awarding the contract to the St. Petersburg‑based Collard Green Festival. The proposed city support stays at $150,000 per year (consistent with prior year baseline) and includes a separate, conditional $80,000 allocation to secure a marquee historically black college/university (HBCU) marching band (transport, meals, lodging, honorarium) if a vendor can secure it; $125,000 of city services (police, fire, sanitation, transportation) are anticipated as in‑kind costs.

Several former parade organizers and community members spoke in favor of a protected transition and warned about short timelines for securing hotels and bands. Dissenting council members expressed concern about increasing budget pressure in a tight fiscal year and urged caution (Council Member Driscoll voted no). Supporters emphasized the parade’s national profile, economic benefit from visitors and cultural importance — noting marquee bands draw out‑of‑market tourists and local spending.

Council voted 6–1 to approve the award with the stated funding structure; administration will include community day‐of‑service mini‑grants (approx. $30,000) and transition support for the new organizer.