Clifton council authorizes holiday tree lighting and homes tour funding

The Clifton Town Council approved funding for two seasonal community events during its Nov. 1, 2022 regular meeting, voting unanimously to authorize up to $1,200 for the holiday tree lighting and up to $1,000 for the Holiday Homes Tour.

Mayor Bill Hollaway moved to approve the Oct. 4, 2022 minutes, a motion seconded by Councilmember Darrell Poe and approved by poll, 6–0. Later in the meeting Councilmember Darrell Poe moved to authorize up to $1,200 for the holiday tree lighting, to be completed by Dec. 3 and removed in mid-to-late January; Mayor Hollaway seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as Hollaway: Aye; McDonald: Aye; Poe: Aye; Effros: Aye; Pline: Aye; Screen: Aye.

Councilmember Poe then moved to approve up to $1,000 for Holiday Homes Tour expenses including brochures, tickets and posters; Councilmember Lynn Screen seconded. That motion passed on a roll-call vote with the same recorded yesses.

Minutes attached to the meeting include a service agreement form from The Virginia Christmas Lighting & Decor Company showing a Base Fee of $1,200, deposit and payment instructions, and company contact information. The council motion authorizing up to $1,200 aligns with that base fee; the attached form spells the client city as "Cliften," which appears to be a typographical error in the form and is corrected here to "Clifton." The service agreement states a minimum 50% deposit is required, with the balance due upon installation unless full payment discount is taken.

The votes conclude the council’s formal action on holiday-event spending. The tree lighting is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 3, and council materials indicate removal of decorations in mid-to-late January. The council adjourned after completing the published agenda.