The Tulare City Council voted 4–1 on Dec. 16 to extend a contract with Spade Entertainment to operate the Adventist Health Amphitheatre and authorized a package of one‑time supports designed to help the venue reach breakeven in its second year.

City Manager Mark Mondell presented staff recommendations to extend the operator agreement through Dec. 31, 2027, and to provide a combination of allowances and cash support, including waiving certain city fees, increasing the artist deposit account and allocating up to $550,000 from one‑time proceeds to cover production, janitorial, security and targeted marketing and outreach efforts. Mondell said the recommended funds would come from non‑recurring sources the city expects this year — notably a property sale to Caltrans and a federal energy tax credit — rather than recurring sales‑tax revenue.

Why it matters: Council leaders and business groups framed the amphitheater as a downtown revitalization tool that attracts visitors and investment. Todd Spellman, Spade Entertainment’s operator, told council the inaugural season drew 11,341 ticket holders from 225 cities and 12 states, but local attendance remained about 10% of sales. Staff and the promoter said raising local ticket pickup and improving targeted marketing are key to moving the venue toward self‑sufficiency.

What the city approved: Staff’s package, as recited in the motion the council approved, included (per staff report) waiving the operator’s share of police overtime charges and the city’s sponsorship fee (the city’s typical share of promoter sponsorship revenue), increasing the established artist‑deposit account and budgeting an additional $175,000 for production/janitorial/security plus $75,000 for marketing and $50,000 to contract outreach services (IncludeUs Labs) focused on the Hispanic/Latino community. Staff estimated the total one‑time cash need at about $550,000 under a conservative, worst‑case scenario.

Council debate and conditions: Council members pressed staff for details: which portions were recoverable if ticket sales improved, whether the additional artist deposit would be repaid by the promoter, and what reporting council would receive. Mondell said one earlier $150,000 deposit remains contractually structured for repayment under the existing amendment, but the newly proposed $250,000 increment would not be structured as repayable under staff’s recommendation because ticket revenue shortfalls make replenishment unlikely in year two. He pledged to return periodic financial updates and to prioritize using non‑recurring proceeds rather than ongoing general‑purpose revenue.

Public reaction: Dozens of residents and business leaders urged the council to back the operator. Susan Henner, a longtime resident and pastor, described the venue as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and urged patience. Chamber and hotel representatives reported higher downtown traffic and hotel nights during concert dates.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the extension and the associated modifications by roll call, 4–1, with Councilmember Segala opposed. Staff will finalize the amendment, begin contract administration for the additional support described in the staff report and provide follow‑up finance reports to the council.

The council convened to closed session afterward; no further public action was reported.