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Tourism board backs three‑year ScottFest agreement but opposes shuttle funding for 2025
Summary
The Visit Broken Arrow board recommended the three‑year ScottFest promotional license agreement to City Council while voting separately not to support tourism funding for a shuttle in 2025; staff and the promoter discussed attendance measurement, parking constraints, and funding options.
The Visit Broken Arrow tourism board voted to recommend the City Council approve a three‑year promotional license agreement with ScottFest but made a separate recommendation that any city funding for 2025 come from the city’s general fund rather than the tourism fund. In a second vote the board recommended it would not support paying for shuttle service for ScottFest in 2025.
Rocky Engel, the city’s community development director, introduced the agreement and noted ScottFest will celebrate its 40th year with events Sept. 19–21, 2025. Promoter Chris Morrison described logistical changes after moving to Central Park and said ScottFest expects a multi‑day event that includes Highland athletics, music, and vendors. Morrison reported ticket sales and said the organization believed ticket sales indicated higher attendance than a geofence‑based count; he estimated prior ticket sales at around 25,000 and said the event had previously shown higher peaks when special guests attended.
Board members sought clarity about how attendance is measured (Placer vs. Blue Zoo data), how room nights would be tracked, and how the city’s contributions break down. Staff provided a breakdown: about $20,000 in city in‑kind services, $6,000 proposed for shuttles (for 2025 only, per staff), and $5,000 for marketing; an additional $31,000 in grant funding was referenced as available in the contract. The city manager recommended using the general fund for 2025 funding with the option to seek tourism reimbursement if subsequent room‑night targets are met. "If the concern is to try to cut the confusion down, the simplest way may be to approve the agreement but have the city front the money for 2025," the city manager said.
Board members approved a motion recommending City Council enter the three‑year agreement (with the 2025 funding caveat) and then approved a separate motion not to support funding the shuttle for 2025. Both motions passed by recorded voice vote. Staff will forward the recommendation to Council for final action and will work with ScottFest on room‑night verification and marketing execution.
