Spencer County approves $4,500 to support America 250 July 4 festivities

The Spencer County fiscal court voted to donate $4,500 to the America 250 July 4 event after a tourism presentation at its March 2 meeting.

Catherine Scott, the county tourism representative, opened with a budget outline for the celebration, including equipment rentals, two hay‑wagon stages loaned by the Matheny family, and fireworks the county already has on hand. “I have a couple of things this morning. The first being that I'm trying to get the budget finalized for the July 4 festivities,” Scott told the court and asked whether the court would commit funds and allow tourism to coordinate logistics.

Court members questioned specific budget lines, including a $3,000 refreshment/alcohol line and how county funds would be accounted for. A member of the court advised using a licensed caterer for any alcohol sales and cautioned that funds coming from the county should not be used for alcohol purchases to simplify audits. Scott said tourism received a grant that would not prohibit alcohol sales but agreed the committee would revise the budget to show clear accounting.

A motion to donate $4,500 to the America 250 event was made and seconded; the court then voted to approve the contribution. The panel asked Scott to bring back a revised budget and to coordinate logistics and facility use (including possible access to the county meeting room and parking) before funds are finalized.

The donation is intended to help pay for event staging and family activities; Scott and staff will return with a detailed, audited budget and coordinate with city officials about any cost‑sharing.