Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Utah County delays Freedom Festival contract amid COVID-19 uncertainty
Summary
Commissioners agreed to continue consideration of a revised Freedom Festival contract — which would split payment and require refunds if events are canceled — to the April 15 meeting to allow time for venue and public‑health updates. The motion passed 3-0.
Commissioners on the Utah County Commission voted to continue consideration of the proposed Freedom Festival contract to April 15, citing uncertainty about large public events during the COVID‑19 outbreak.
County staffer Dave Shawcroft said the revised agreement would split payment to the festival organizer — half up front and half after the event — and include a clause requiring a refund to the county if some or all events are canceled. “Freedom Festival indicated that they would at least like to receive half of the amount prior to and then the balance after the event,” Shawcroft said.
Festival organizers on the call said the change would help cover contractual obligations such as venue deposits. Paul Warner said the clause is “helpful” and would allow organizers to pay convention center and gala costs while retaining a refund mechanism if events are canceled.
Several commissioners said they were reluctant to pay before events were confirmed but welcomed the new refund language. One commissioner noted that the county and venues such as BYU were still assessing whether events would proceed and suggested delaying a decision until more was known.
A commissioner moved to continue the contract discussion to the commission’s April 15 meeting; the motion passed by voice vote, recorded as 3-0 in favor.
The commission did not adopt the contract at this meeting; the item will return on April 15 for further consideration with updated information on venues and public‑health guidance.
