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Creekside Theatre requests $3,000 bump in park‑tax support; council signals interest
Summary
Creekside Theatre asked the council to increase its annual park‑tax allotment from $15,000 to $18,000 to cover rising production and marketing costs. Councilmembers expressed support in principle and asked staff to return with a budget amendment proposal.
Nicole, a representative of Creekside Theatre, told the council that the festival—founded in 2014—had grown to about 1,200 attendees this year (up from roughly 350 in earlier seasons) and that the program receives a portion of city park‑tax funding. Creekside currently receives $15,000 from the city's park‑tax allocation and requested a $3,000 increase to $18,000 to support marketing, production costs, stipends and expanded programming.
City Manager Chandler Goodwin confirmed the park‑tax total has been roughly $90,000–$93,000 in recent years and said staff would look to capital projects and the park fund for any adjustment. Councilmembers praised Creekside's role drawing visitors and noted potential economic spillovers for restaurants and businesses. Several councilmembers (including Councilmember Allison, Councilmember Ellison and Councilmember Price) indicated support for trying a one‑year pilot amendment or bringing a budget amendment back at the next meeting for formal consideration.
Creekside said additional funding would be used primarily for marketing to increase attendance and to cover rising costs of set construction and rights for productions. Staff and council discussed sign and outreach strategies to help demonstrate park‑tax returns in advance of a future renewal vote.
