Plain City Council approved the first of its 2023 “Community Support Fund” spending to Rock the Clock during its Monday meeting.
Council unanimously approved a motion to provide $2,000 to the organization, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Council members Michael Terry and John Rucker were absent.
Tim Dawson, who submitted the community grant application, said three main factors have significantly raised the cost of hosting the event: entertainment, labor and the stage.
He said the event cost approximately $46,000 in 2022, but will be “pushing $70,000” this year.
Headliner Ashley Cooke cost $15,000 to book, Dawson said.
Securing her as the main act also led to other price increases.
Just over two months ago, Dawson said Cooke notified him that she would not be able to perform on the originally scheduled date, July 29, because she was invited to open for country singer Luke Bryan.
Dawson said he did not want to let go of Cooke as the Rock the Clock performer, so he rescheduled the event to July 22.
However, he said that caused issues with securing the stage that the concert generally uses, which is owned by the City of Dublin.
While Dublin officials generally allow Dawson to use the stage for Rock the Clock, and would have this year if the event took place July 29, he said it is being used by the Arthritis Foundation for an event on July 22.
So, Dawson said he had to contract with a production company for the stage and other equipment.
Although he said he feels concertgoers will notice an improvement in the production quality of Rock the Clock this year, he said it will come with an increased cost.
In a memo to council, Village Administrator Haley Lupton noted that the 2023 budget includes $20,000 designated for contributions to community events.
Throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, council members discussed how the village could appropriately provide financial support to community events and organizations. Ultimately, they decided upon establishing the fund through which they can apply for funding.
Lupton said the request for Rock the Clock on behalf of Dawson is the first application the village has received in 2023.
Council member Frank Reed said he was in favor of approving the request for Rock the Clock funding.
However, he said he is hopeful that more nonprofits come forward to apply for support from the village.
Council also heard the first reading of another application from Dawson, this one pertaining to a requested tax abatement for the former Rialto Theatre.
Dawson and Lisa Bonta, the owners of the property at 251 W. Main St., intend to “bring back the building to its original use” and create an event center “for plays, weddings, community events, etc.,” according to their application.
The village initially received the application from Dawson in January for a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) abatement for the property for 100% over 12 years.
In a memo to council, Lupton noted that, following review of the original application, the Jonathan Alder Board of Education raised concerns “regarding the term of the abatement and the pledged employment, payroll and investment levels.”
“As a result, the property owner chose to withdraw the application until more accurate cost estimates could be obtained and employment and payroll projections could be refined,” Lupton wrote.
Lupton said the revised agreement dictates the creation of five full-time employees and an associated annual payroll of $300,000.
Dawson indicated the total new project investment will be $1,650,000, broken down into $450,000 for the acquisition of the building, $895,000 for improvements to the building, $200,000 for machinery and equipment, $100,000 for furniture and fixtures and $5,000 for inventory.
The new agreement suggests an 75% abatement for 10 years, Lupton said.
The village’s Economic Development Committee reviewed the application and proposed agreement “and has no concerns with moving forward,” Lupton’s memo said.
She added that the Ohio Revised Code does not require the Board of Education to consent to issuance of this abatement.
Council will hear a second reading and vote on the matter at its next regular meeting on June 26.