MYRTLE BEACH, SC- City Council is considering a resolution that would cut in-kind services to festivals and events.
The city usually co-sponsors events and picks up the tab for services like trash pick up and police patrol. According to the resolution, “Beginning January 1, 2016 entities receiving grants from state Accomodations Tax or outside agency funding are ineligible to request in-kind services or free facility use.”
The Oceanfront Merchant’s Association hosts several events including Oktoberfest and St Patrick’s Day.
“We’re trying to make an impact on the downtown area,” said OMA President Rick Sarver.
OMA receives $140,000 in A-tax funding, which Sarver says is a small percentage of their total operating budget. He’d like the city to be more supportive of their efforts.
“Sometimes we get that impression, that they really don’t understand what we’re doing here,” he said.
Last St Patrick’s Day, the city spent about $9,000 on in-kind services for OMA. City leaders say the resolution would save money and bring in additional revenue from organizations paying for services and facilities.
Part of the proposal would give council the choice to provide in-kind services to certain evens that contribute significantly to the public economy, culture or tourism.
Council decided Tuesday to continue it’s discussion on the resolution.
