Taylor Special Events Funding Measure Will Remain In Place

Town Attorney Sterling Solomon explained that under the rules, a motion to reconsider must be made by someone voting in favor of the previous motion, and it had to be done at that meeting or the following meeting.

“I have a hard time rescinding something that we already did approve,” said Mayor Debbie Tuckfield. “I agree with you budgets are tight and I do believe there was a misunderstanding as far as the funding went, so I would find it a little bit difficult to reopen it myself, but there are others on the council.”

Councilman Jay Whipple agreed with the mayor, stating, “There’s been a commitment.”

“There’s a different solution that doesn’t cost the town or make it go into the hole,” said Hatch. “I think we can still accomplish this without going into the deficit.”

After some silence, Councilman Jane Lee moved to hear Hatch’s presentation and eventually Councilman Mark Reed seconded the motion, which passed 4-2 with Whipple and Tuckfield voting no.

Hatch made his presentation, showing the revenues from each celebration beginning in 2005 and gave three alternatives.

“I think Mr. (Eddie) Hancock said it well earlier on a point, we don’t need to rush into this,” said Hatch. “Where did we come up with this to analyze, what’s the effect or impact it would have on the budget?”

Hatch noted that 2005 had a gain of $11,996; 2006, a gain of $22,109; 2007, a loss of $665 for the Sweet Corn Festival and a gain of $18,304 for the 4th of July celebration; 2008, a gain of $12,487; 2009, a gain of $11,692; and 2010, a gain of $16,804 for the combined celebrations.

Hatch then showed the improvements made by the town within that period of time to the rodeo grounds that cost a total of $666,970.20. He pointed out that because of a lack of engineering, the town paid twice for light poles, including $27,896 for light poles on April 16, 2007, and an additional $33,087 on June 12, 2007, to replace the previous light poles.

Mayor Tuckfield did not agree that these were accurate figures because, “In my opinion you’re showing a skewed amount of information.” She explained that he did not show the money that was brought into the community because of the celebrations, explaining that it would increase sales tax.

“We’re getting off the mark,” said Hatch following a debate with Tuckfield.

“This is a budget thing, its nothing against the Special Events Committee,” said Hatch, who then unveiled three plans.

Under Plan A, the yearly profits would go toward capital projects that were decided upon by the committee, with the money being accumulated each year, and the town would pay the maintenance costs.

It was explained that a capital project would be adding to or building something, and maintenance would be repairing the facility.

It was agreed that the Special Events Committee should decide the capital projects.

Plan B was to give the Special Events Committee $20,000 a year that would go toward capital projects decided by the committee. It would increase the deficit to $90,958, because profits would go to the committee and the town would pay maintenance costs.

Plan C provided for the yearly profits to go to the General Fund, with the deficit being diminished and capital improvements being delayed.

As requested by Hatch, Town Engineer Stu Spaulding noted that the pavilion wall is not stable and there are safety problems with the electric, which should be dealt with soon.

“Our budget’s been cut pretty hard,” said Fire Chief Clint Burden noting that the full-time firefighter position was lost.

“I feel like it was a slap in the face,” said Burden referring to the headlines that stated 29 percent of the town workforce was reduced and next to it was a story about the council approving money for the rodeo committee.

“I’ve got some pretty unhappy firefighters over here. You’ve got some pretty awesome firefighters, but it’s not going to be that way very much longer,” said Burden, noting there was a skeleton crew last year firing the fireworks. “We’ve been really trying to cut back, and I have to go back and tell my people we’re on survival mode right now, and then we read the paper.”

“We’re feeding your hungry, we take your people to the doctor and we have to do it by ourselves,” said Loretta Whitlow of the Silver Creek Senior Center. She acknowledged that the town has given the center grant funds, but questioned why the rodeo committee couldn’t raise money during the year other ways, especially when the town doesn’t have money.

Cindy Schreiber noted that they serve more than 1,000 meals a month at the senior center.

Brad Click, who coordinates the Trapper Days celebration, noted that he could understand Chief Burden’s frustration, but reminded the council that these celebrations bring people to the community, where they spend money at local businesses.

“I think I understand exactly where Jared is coming from, and I believe all of us feel like we have a responsibility for the funds, especially in today’s world,” said Councilman Mark Reed. He agreed there were things that need to be resolved, things that need to be put into writing so they were all on the same page, then stated, “For today, I move that we move forward with the plan as we agreed upon at the April 7 meeting.”

The motion was seconded by Mayor Tuckfield.

There was more discussion on the issue. Erin Amos said she felt they should go back to the drawing board and get something that would work for everybody.

Solomon reminded the council that there was a motion on the floor.

Town Manager Eric Duthie explained that the motion was to create a Special Events Committee fund that was dedicated to capital expenses in the amount of $20,000 for three years, with this fiscal year’s portion coming from the contingency fund, which is the savings of the town.

From the discussion it became obvious that the vote would be split since there were six members present.

Solomon was asked what would happen in such a case and explained, “This is a motion to keep things the way you decided to keep them at the April 7, 2011 meeting; if it fails, what was previously passed would be rescinded.”

Reed withdrew his motion.

A motion was then made by Hatch to accept Plan A with some modifications, and the Special Days Committee would clarify capital projects, with the profits going toward capital improvements and the town providing the maintenance.

Councilwoman Jane Lee seconded the motion.

In response to a question posed by council members, Solomon explained that if this motion failed due to a tie, the motion approved at the April 7 meeting would remain in effect.

The motion failed in a 3-3 vote, with Hatch, Palmer and Lee voting in favor of it, so the motion approved on April 7 will stand.