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Poulsbo council directs staff to prepare up to $21,000 in one‑time support for July 4 drone show
Summary
After debate over lodging‑tax rules and precedent, the council directed staff to prepare a budget amendment using general fund reserves to underwrite up to $21,000 to secure a drone show for the city's 250th/July 4 community celebration; staff said the Peninsula School District fleet could do a 100‑drone show for about $15,000 and up to $21,000 for a larger show.
Council considered a staff request to provide seed funding so the city could commit to a drone show for July 4 as part of a larger community celebration tied to the country's 250th anniversary.
City administrator Rob Gelder and parks director Jeff Ozmick explained staff had identified the Peninsula School District as a local partner (its CTE drone program) and had private vendor quotes as a fallback. "It's 15 to 21,000. That's the range," Ozmick said, summarizing estimates for school fleet and vendor options.
Council members debated whether to use lodging‑tax advisory committee (LTAC) funds or general fund reserves. Several members, including the LTAC chair and other councilors, said LTAC policy is aimed at tourism and a single off‑cycle request would change longstanding practice; others noted the city could treat this as a unique, once‑in‑a‑lifetime 250th‑anniversary expense. The mayor said he was not recommending LTAC and favored a one‑time use of general fund reserves. Ultimately the council moved, seconded and approved direction to staff to prepare a budget amendment supported by general fund reserves to underwrite up to $21,000 for a one‑time drone show, with staff continuing to pursue sponsorships and private underwriting.
