Travis County Commssioners Court
January 7, 2003
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Item 12
12. Consider request from junior livestock show for discount from the standard Travis County exposition center rate schedule on January 22 through 25, 2003, and take appropriate action.
>> good morning.
>> we have been -- alicia perez, executive manager for administrative operations. We have been asked to consider, the court has been asked to consider a request from the junior livestock show for a discount to the standard Travis County exposition center rate. And we sent out a memorandum and on page 2, after the -- after the letter of request from the junior livestock show, we have made a recommendation on the show -- the policy that was adopted by the court does not allow a discount for the show barn. So what we did is we did three days, it would really be four days, so we are just not charging them for the set upand take down time -- setup and take down time, that ends up being 3 days, $900 a day for a total of $2,700. On the banquet hall, it is one day, they will use it on a Saturday. The policy that you have says that there will be discounts on Monday through Thursday, the policy is attached, also, right behind that particular sheet of paper. If you would like to give them a 50% discount, make an exception, to -- to them leasing the facility on Saturday, then that would be a thousand dollars and we could -- that's fine. For the total being $3,700 for the four-day event. If you were not to give them a discount, the total cost would be $5,600. We also did a run down of what it would cost us just to have staff there. And the -- utilities and it would cost us the exposition center about $3,925. So this -- this about brings us -- it's a break-even point, it costs us a couple of hundred dollars, but that's what -- what the cost is. It is also my understanding that -- that this is a county show. But it is supported and has been managed by the star of Texas livestock and rodeo. Whatever they can't afford to pay, the -- the star of Texas picks up.
>> but this is a -- open only to Travis County youth, it says here.
>> yes.
>> who are members of 4 h of ffa.
>> future farmers of america, yes.
>> okay.
>> are they able to pay the additional 250? I'm assuming they can pay the 3700, which is the proposal.
>> oh, I see.
>> are they able to pay the 3950, which I guess would reimburse us.
>> 3925.
>> would enable us to cover our cost, but still represent a significant discount.
>> yes, sir.
>> are they able to pay the additional 250?
>> well, what -- again, what they don't have -- the star of Texas rode control pick up.
>> why don't we try to do that, see if -- if we can give them a discount, but at the same time at least cover our costs I would feel a lot better with that.
>> uh-huh.
>> it would be an additional 250 over their proposed discount. I would propose to a discount that would leave them paying 3950.
>> 3925.
>> 3925. And the rationale would be we would simply be trying to cover our costs.
>> second.
>> seconded by commissioner Gomez. I do think this is one of those on [inaudible] where we ought to try to assist as much as we can. Star of Texas has been a -- real helpful to them. This is a good program. Part of the county effort, although we are an urban county, we still have rural residents and continue to encourage young folk to participates in 4 h and ffa, right?
>> yes.
>> what -- [inaudible] last year or the year before.
>> I don't remember.
>> was it your shop, stephen, something was --
>> it's more of our long continuing discussions about how to use the word -- I will use the word of hijacking of the local show has turned into a regional show. I would like to be informed if there is any -- any lacking of the star of Texas paying the differential between what the local show can come up with and the amount that Travis County needs to get for full reimbursement. Because to me as the judge said, I consider this to be a part of their commitment -- in handling, making sure that the local show was held harmless in this turning into a regional show rather than the local show, which was the -- the big --
>> the very reason for the expo center.
>> right.
>> but I stop short of getting into that fight about how the star of Texas ought to conduct their program.
>> right, but I didn't. [ laughter ]
>> their being regional is consistent with our articulated support for regionalism and everything else, so --
>> that's a side conversation [ laughter ]
>> commissioner Sonleitner -- [ laughter ]
>> okay. Full expectations of -- [inaudible]
>> any more discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2003 10:25 AM