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County tables $140,000 hotel/motel-funded FIFA activation funding amid questions on contracts and readiness
Summary
Clayton County commissioners tabled a $140,094 hotel/motel tax-funded request to support FIFA activation sites at Gerald Matthews Sports Complex and the arena after questions about contractual relationships with the arena operator, cost breakdowns, field readiness and short notice. Staff will return with details at a June work session.
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners on June 2 deferred a $140,094 budget amendment (2-60) that would have used hotel/motel tax revenue to fund FIFA activation events at Gerald Matthews Sports Complex and the county arena in July.
Economic development staff described two activation sites in unincorporated Clayton County on July 7 and July 15: a youth-focused program at Gerald Matthews intended to host soccer clinics and summer-camp activities, and an arena-based fan experience and business outreach activation. Staff said most of the funding would come from the hotel/motel tax and provided a line‑item breakdown: Parks & Recreation costs about $16,008.25 (food trucks, inflatables, a DJ and transportation) while arena-related costs account for the remainder, including security, janitorial services, stage rental and audiovisual packages.
Commissioners raised several concerns: some said the board had been given little advance notice and asked why they had not been briefed earlier; others asked whether the county had a direct contractual relationship with FIFA (staff answered there is no contractual relationship with FIFA and cautioned about trademark uses). Commissioners also asked why the county would pay for security when Clayton County Police are present and flagged field maintenance problems at Gerald Matthews (irrigation issues) that they said should be fixed before hosting events.
Given vendor timing and unresolved questions, the board voted to table the request to the June 16 meeting and asked staff to discuss details at a June 9 work session and, if necessary, return earlier if vendors require a decision by June 10.
What happens next: staff will provide contractual documents, an itemized budget breakdown and readiness assessments for Gerald Matthews and the arena at the June 9 work session; the board will reconsider the item on June 16 or call a special meeting if vendor deadlines require it.
