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Bel Aire council approves amendment shifting event duties from Chamber to city, asks Chamber to refocus on membership
Summary
The council approved a first amendment to the city’s 2026 funding agreement with the Bel Aire Chamber of Commerce that removes event responsibilities for the remainder of 2026 and asks the chamber to pursue membership growth, partnerships and a mission update; city staff will run the fall festival and Christmas events.
The Bel Aire City Council on June 2 approved a first amendment to the 2026 funding agreement with the Bel Aire Chamber of Commerce that relieves the chamber of event-related duties for the rest of the year and directs the city to run key community events.
Council members voted 4–0 to authorize the mayor to sign the amendment after Chamber President Luis Rodriguez told the council that shifting events to city staff would “help us out immensely and … allow us to focus on the efforts” of membership growth and partnerships. Rodriguez said the chamber’s current membership income (about $2,500) and sponsorship revenue (about $2,700) are not sufficient to cover staff time and event costs.
Gary O’Neal, a chamber board member, told council the chamber has started outreach to neighboring cities to explore partnerships and said the chamber will return with a plan in October or November. “We’ve already begun the process … with Ki,” O’Neal said, noting discussions with nearby administrators and mayors.
Council members pressed the chamber to present a concrete business plan and comparative research on how neighboring cities support chamber operations before asking for additional city funding. Council Member Brandon Macintosh asked whether shifting event duties would resolve the chamber’s near-term funding shortfall; Luis Rodriguez replied that removing event responsibilities should stabilize the chamber’s cash flow and allow its staff member to contribute more time to growth efforts.
Mayor Jim Bina and other council members said they want the chamber to propose its preferred partnership model and a membership-growth plan so council can review options for longer-term financial support. The amendment requires the chamber to report back to the council in late 2026 on progress and next steps.
The amendment was moved by Emily Hamburg and seconded by Tyler Dean; the motion passed on a voice vote. The council’s action leaves in place other funding obligations but shifts operational responsibility for the fall festival and Christmas event to city staff for 2026.
