Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident contests $5,000 Tractor Pull donation; council says funds were spent
Summary
During public comment, resident Brian Ives asked for return of a previous $5,000 donation for the Tractor Pull; council members said the donation had been spent on event expenses and that donations cannot be reclaimed.
At the July 14 meeting of the Oxford City Council, resident Brian Ives sought return of a prior $5,000 donation he said had been given for the Tractor Pull. Council members said the donation had been spent on event expenses and would not be returned.
Ives told the council he had given $5,000 in the past and would like the funds returned. Mayor Heather Johnson recited revenues and expenses for the 2022–2025 Tractor Pull and said the anonymous $5,000 donation had been spent on event expenses. Johnson said the council previously decided the city would not continue to put on the event as a city-sponsored activity but that a private organizer could seek permits and insurance and bring a proposal to council.
Councilmember Hennes responded directly to the request, saying, "a donation is a donation and you can't ask for it back." The council also noted that obtaining insurance for the 2025 pull had been difficult and that multiple complaints followed the 2025 event.
No vote or formal action to return funds was taken; the council's position as recorded in the minutes is that the donation was expended on event costs and is not refundable.
