Byron aldermen approve purchase and installation of missed soccer sponsor banners after debate over program spending

The Byron Board of Aldermen voted to purchase and install missing sponsorship banners for the city’s youth soccer fields after aldermen debated how donated funds were used.

Alderman Gibson read a letter saying three local businesses gave $2,400 in sponsorships with the expectation that banners would be displayed, and that the city had not honored that commitment. "When our city accepts sponsorship funds or donated funds, we have a responsibility to honor those commitments made to the donors," Gibson said.

Board members and staff disputed who was responsible for producing and installing the banners. City staff and Alderman Roshanda Harris Allen said the sponsorship documentation was ambiguous about whether donors or the city should provide banners. Harris Allen urged clearer, separate sponsorship letters for the soccer association and the city.

Officials also laid out the program’s finances: staff reported total soccer revenue from registrations and sponsorships at $36,274.62 and total soccer-related expenses at $89,598, listing goals, uniforms, trophies, referees and field maintenance among costs. Staff said $68,170.36 had been charged to a tourism/sports-complex fund for purchases tied to the complex.

After procedural votes to end debate, Gibson moved that the board purchase and install the sponsorship banners at the stated locations. The motion passed in a roll-call vote. Mayor White called for the purchase and installation to proceed and for staff to provide clearer sponsorship language and accounting to prevent future confusion.

The board did not specify the exact vendor, price-per-banner or timeline for installation during the meeting. City staff said financial details and the documentary record would be clarified in future minutes and in a sponsorship policy they are developing.