Council tables vote on $10,000 increase to recreation budget tied to Dollar Bank Juneteenth sponsorship
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Summary
Council debated whether to add $10,000 to the 2025 recreation and entertainment budget to reflect a Dollar Bank sponsorship for Juneteenth and ultimately voted to table the item to the next meeting while finance clarifies how the sponsorship was included in the adopted budget.
Council debated a proposed $10,000 increase to the 2025 recreation and entertainment appropriation after administration reported Dollar Bank pledged a $10,000 presenting sponsorship for the citys Juneteenth event.
Deanna Bremer Fisher, the mayors chief of staff, said the sponsorship had been offered and would be coded to a Juneteenth revenue line. Council members asked whether that $10,000 had already been accounted for inside the $95,000 appropriation the council approved for events or whether it should be added on top. Finance staff and council members said the record of the budget discussions needed review to clarify whether the $10,000 was already included among assumed revenues.
Councilman King argued that, because the donation is intended to enhance the June 21 Juneteenth celebration, the council should approve the increase promptly to give administration time to plan. Others, including Councilwoman Lynn Weiser and members of the council, said they were uncomfortable voting without clear documentation and background on the revenue assumptions; they noted the budget includes other grants such as a $5,000 Ohio Arts Council award and a $2,000 NOPEC sponsorship.
A motion to increase the recreation and entertainment appropriation from $95,000 to $105,000 failed to receive a second. The council then voted to table the item to the next meeting to allow the finance director to provide documentation and clarification; that tabling motion passed on roll call.