The City of Colusa’s event ad hoc committee pitched three city-sponsored events to the City Council on Tuesday – and a reasonable amount of money they found the city should raise and spend.
The council gave direction to city staff to move forward in 2022 with the Fourth of July celebration, Taco Festival, and the Country in Colusa, in addition to summer recreation programs, including Concerts in the Park.
The ad hoc committee of Mayor Tom Reische and Councilman Daniel Vaca was formed last year after the public raised questions about the cost to taxpayers for a string of nearly back-to-back events, which officials said were well received by the public, but very expensive and skirted around the city’s established policies.
Last year’s city-sponsored events, which also included Duck Days, cost $156,480, less $54,000 raised in cash donations and $27,370 in revenue, for a net loss to the city of about $75,108, City Manager Jesse Cain said.
Following the ad hoc’s recommendation, the City Council gave direction to staff to move forward in 2022 with the Fourth of July/Watermelon Festival, Taco Festival, and Country in Colusa, all events city officials said will be “fine tuned” and carefully budgeted.
Cain said all three city events will have moderate changes and will include participation from nonprofit organizations, including the Colusa Rotary and Lions clubs.
The committee’s preliminary budget for all three events is about $108,000.
“That’s without getting any donations, ticket sales, or anything like that,” Cain said.
After meeting with members of the public, the committee proposed the Fourth of July as a free event for all, with first right of refusal for local food trucks and restaurants to sell food. Entertainment may be a DJ or a local band, with a kid zone area: levee slides, sidewalk chalk, giant bubbles, and hula hoop, which are high engagement but low cost. The Fireworks display will be held at dark. Estimated total cost before donations is $23,000, although pyrotechnic costs are expected to increase significantly this year with inflation, Cain said.
Colusa will also continue the Taco Festival, which will include both free and ticketed activities; an open taco competition (entry fee) with purchased wristbands for sampling. Food will also be available for purchase, and the event will include a DJ or band – and kid zone. Estimated cost is 20,000 before donations.
Colusa proposes to bring back the Country in Colusa festival, which was the most controversial event last year because it was rushed through with no council or public input, and ultimately cost the taxpayers $45,508 (after ticket revenue and donations), which was largely spent with businesses outside Colusa County.
“There will be a lot of improvement to the way it was done,” Vaca said. “There will be no rushing.”
Country in Colusa will be a ticketed event in October, and will feature local bands and possibly a single headliner to draw a crowd. The event will also include a bear/wine garden and food trucks. The estimated cost before donations and ticket sales is $65,000.
“I like this (event); I support it,” said Councilwoman Denise Conrado. “I just want to make sure it is all organized correctly.”
The city will also continue to support (street closures, sanitation, police presence, etc.) large events organized by other groups, including the Striped Bass Derby (April); Lions Club (Fair) Parade (June), Founders Day (June); Lions Club (Fair) Parade (June), Duck Call Competition (August), 3F Century Ride (October); Christmas Tyme (December), and other events such as the summer Colusa County Arts Council dance(s), car shows, and possibly March of the Mini’s, as an annual event each April.
Cain said city-sponsored events will likely be organized by a larger committee that includes the Colusa ad hoc members and a member from each participating nonprofit organization.
“We will grow from there and see what happens,” Cain said.
Each event is expected to go before the council with an individual budget prior to solicitation for money, per their newly-established event policy guidelines, officials said. ■