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Council splits on Swinging Bridge Festival contracts after questions over budget and documentation
Summary
Council debated contracts and budget for the Swinging Bridge Festival, with members asking for last year’s documentation and questioning quotes tied to a two-day budget that was later reduced to one day; some festival items were pulled or tabled for further information.
The Byram City Council engaged in an extended debate over contracts and budget items for the upcoming Swinging Bridge Festival after several members asked for documentation and questioned whether quotes were appropriate for a one‑day event.
Staff explained that the tourism budget set last year assumed a two‑day festival; when the event was later reduced to one day, some council members sought revised cost projections and vendor quotes to reflect the shorter timeframe. One councilmember asked for copies of last year’s festival budget and supporting documentation before voting on rental, advertising and performance agreements.
During discussion, one motion to approve pulled festival items separately failed after debate, and the council ultimately set several items aside and asked staff to provide additional documentation. Staff said vendor quotes used current-year weekend rates and that the estimates were updated; the tourism lead agreed to provide the full budget packet to members the following morning.
The council did approve some consent agenda items not related to the festival but voted to table or separate the festival agreements until members had time to review supporting documents and updated cost breakdowns.
