Village to consider contract with Emlin Theatre for July concert; alcohol sales requested

Jason (speaker 6) presented the village’s event plan with the Emlin Theatre to stage the 2026 Concert in the Park on July 15 (rain date July 16), saying the Emlin brings production value — lights, sound and staging — and the request includes authorizing the village manager to execute an agreement not to exceed $15,000 for the theatrical services. Jason said the $15,000 was included in the adopted budget and that the Emlin must provide receipts before the village pays.

The proposal also requests authorization for licensed alcohol sales and on‑site consumption (beer, wine and canned hard seltzer) at the event; Jason said the arrangement has been used in prior years and that the liquor‑law permitting process would benefit from prompt authorization so the village manager and the liquor authority can process permits before the event. Jason estimated total event costs last year at about $17,766 and projected this year’s total will likely fall between roughly $17,050 and $18,050, with the majority of the expense going to the Emlin and remaining costs for staff time and stage rental.

Trustees asked about scheduling (the event alternates between July and August in different years) and about budgeting for future years; one trustee suggested encumbering funds in earlier months so staff and the Emlin can plan well in advance. Jason said staff could pursue an encumbrance model for future budgets and that, if the board grants authorization next meeting, Kathleen could sign the contract before June 1 to support timely liquor permit applications.

No formal vote occurred at the work session; trustees agreed to place the authorization on the May 26 legislative agenda for final approval and to allow the liquor permitting process to proceed.