Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism And Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Columbia council redirects $10,000 to Riverbanks Zoo from Meeting Street Music Festival
Summary
Council amended the Accommodations Tax Committee recommendation to fully fund the Riverbanks Zoo at $20,000 and reduce Meeting Street Music Festival funding to $78,000; the amendment and the amended funding package were adopted unanimously.
Miss Call, representing the West Columbia Accommodations Tax Committee, told council the committee received 10 applications asking for a combined $292,000 while $250,000 was available. "After reviewing the submitted applications and hearing comments from applicants present, the committee unanimously approved the recommended funding for submission to city council," she said.
Councilman Brooks raised concern that the Riverbanks Zoo had not presented and offered an amendment to fully fund the zoo's request. He proposed shifting $10,000 from the Meeting Street Music Festival allocation to the zoo, and then offered a motion to set the zoo grant at $20,000 and reduce the festival award from $88,000 to $78,000. The amendment was seconded, discussed with staff (who reported the Meeting Street Music Fest funding could be adjusted), and adopted unanimously. Council then voted to approve the accommodations-tax awards as amended.
Miss Call noted the accommodations-tax allocation rose from $200,000 in 2025 to $250,000 this year. Council members asked staff to follow up with Tommy at the zoo to learn why the zoo did not present at the committee meeting and to encourage the zoo to participate next year.
The council approved the amended funding recommendations by unanimous voice/hand vote and moved on to the next agenda item.
