Plain City Council is working to support Rock the Clock in a manner that is fair to other local events.
Event organizer Tim Dawson was at the council meeting Monday to request the village’s financial support for the upcoming event.
He said he was concerned that the village would not help to fund Rock the Clock this year.
Dawson referenced an April Journal-Tribune article that detailed council’s discussion surrounding funding for local organizations and events. At the time, council members expressed interest in supporting Rock the Clock but asked Solicitor Paul Lafayette to research how it could be done fairly and legally.
“I would like to remind each of you, you have never not supported Rock the Clock,” Dawson told council.
Over the past several years, Dawson said the village has provided funding for tents, port-a-potties, the stage and police department services.
He noted that the July 31 event will cost approximately $30,000 this year because it will welcome a larger musical act, Drew Parker, as the headliner with Naked Karate Girls as an opening act. Dawson said it is approximately double the cost of the 2019 event.
As Rock the Clock continues to grow, Dawson said his expenses will, too.
“Actually, I need more support than I’ve ever had,” he said.
Dawson emphasized that there is no cost for entry. Rather than ticket sales, he said Rock the Clock is funded through sponsorships and beer sales.
He said he believes the village should continue to contribute to the event because of the number of people it draws to the village, who in turn patronize local businesses. Dawson called it the “biggest recreational night” of the year.
Council member Sherry Heineman clarified the board’s stance. She said council would like to support Rock the Clock, but is unsure of pursuing a partnership.
Council President John Rucker agreed. He said he appreciates Rock the Clock but still questions how the village can donate to one event without doing so for others.
“We want to make sure we’re doing everything the legal way and the correct way,” he said.
Dawson said he understood that not every event could receive financial support from the village, but asked why the legality of supporting Rock the Clock is being questioned after years of involvement.
“For the past three years, was it completely illegally done?” Dawson asked.
Council member Shannon Pine said the topic has never come before council. She said she believes previous support was simply authorized by former Mayor Darrin Lane without council involvement.
Pine reiterated that she would like village staff to develop a grant application process for local event organizers, an idea she proposed during the April work session.
“Unfortunately, we’re not there yet,” she said.
Council member Michael Terry said he feels that should not penalize Rock the Clock this year.
“I don’t want to not support (Rock the Clock) while we create the process,” Terry said.
He said he feels financial support from the village can be justified by the number of people and dollars spent in Plain City during the event.
Rucker added that he recognizes the “tremendous flow” of traffic created by Rock the Clock and wants to ensure it continues to happen.
Terry said council should defer to Mayor Jody Carney and Village Administrator Nathan Cahall and allow them to “use their discretion” to grant funding for the event this year.
He also asked that Plain City Police Chief Dale McKee provide the cost for providing overtime officers at Rock the Clock. Terry said that could be used to quantify the financial support provided by the village.
Pine also asked that Dawson provide information shared with local businesses regarding sponsorship levels.
Carney said she will add an agenda item to next week’s work session for council to continue to discuss funding.
In the meantime, Lafayette said he will research the legality of funding Rock the Clock specifically, as his earlier findings focused on partnering with the Farmers Market.
In other business:
– Carney provided a certificate of appreciation to each of the Plain City Police Department officers. She recognized their “bravery, service and dedication to serving our community.”
“We can go to sleep at night and feel safe,” she said, adding that residents often share their support for PCPD with her.
– Council members noted that they will continue to follow Gov. DeWine’s public health orders, but emphasized they will not create any additional restrictions specific to the village once the state orders expire on June 2.