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Pittsburg County EDA approves bid process for alcohol service at Southeast Expo Center; promoter raises concerns
Summary
The Pittsburg County Economic Development Authority on May 18 approved Resolution 26‑001 to advertise six‑month bids for alcohol service at the Southeast Expo Center. Trustees debated whether outside caterers or a contracted vendor would handle sales and heard concerns from promoter Logan Roddy about effects on existing events and ticketing arrangements.
The Pittsburg County Economic Development Authority voted May 18 to advertise six‑month bids for alcohol service at the Southeast Expo Center, approving Resolution 26‑001 after discussion about how the contract could affect caterers and independent event promoters.
Chairman Ross Selman read the resolution and moved its approval; Vice‑Chairman Mike Haynes seconded. With Trustees Selman and Haynes voting AYE and no NAY votes from those present, the motion passed. Trustee Charlie Rogers was absent at the time the resolution was moved and joined the meeting shortly afterward.
The discussion focused on who would be allowed to sell alcohol at events. Haynes asked whether a non‑county event with a licensed caterer could sell alcohol or whether sales would be restricted to the vendor awarded the county contract. Staff member Ragan asked whether the contracted vendor would be required to remit a percentage of sales to the county. Staff member Crenshaw said the event promoter has historically arranged alcohol sales for some events.
Event promoter Logan Roddy told the board he has arranged catering and alcohol sales for his events and raised concerns about how a county contract might affect those arrangements. Roddy said he produces ticketed events at the Expo and described services he provides, including door and online ticket sales, use of handheld devices on site and procedures for third‑party payment chargebacks. “I have been in event production for four years,” Roddy said, and described upcoming events he would handle, including mud bogs on the 30th and a December tractor pull.
Selman said the contract would need review before the board could take further action on any vendor arrangement.
The board also approved routine items earlier in the meeting: the agenda and minutes from May 11 and the acknowledgment of claims and fiscal transactions. The purchase orders attached to the minutes list vendor charges and contract labor for Expo operations totaling $3,512.25.
In new business, Haynes asked when the board would revisit staff member Ragan’s compensation; Ragan said the board had planned to reexamine salary after the start of the year. Ragan also raised the need for consistent rental fees for school graduations and whether additional rental days for banquet rooms should be charged; Selman said fees should be uniform and Crenshaw said rental terms should be specified in contracts.
The meeting adjourned after Selman moved to adjourn and Haynes seconded; the motion carried with Selman, Haynes and Rogers recording AYE votes.
The board did not set a date for finalizing any alcohol vending contract; staff were directed to follow typical review procedures before any vendor agreement is executed.
