The Cole County Commission has approved funding to help with the promotion of the annual Thursday Night Live events in downtown Jefferson City.
At Tuesday’s commission meeting, commissioners approved $2,500, which was the amount they gave last year. The money comes out of funds budgeted for economic development activities.
Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman told Downtown Association President Stephanie Bell this may be the last year the commission puts this money in their budget. Bell said she understood, and her organization would seek additional sponsorships to cover the shortfall if that happens next year.
Bushman said the commission is planning to take a serious look at whether it wants to continue the practice of giving public funds for some economic development efforts and to select not-for-profit groups. For many years, the county commission has approved funds for agencies through contracts, citing the state statute, dating to 1909, on county health and welfare programs.
This year’s Thursday Night Live lineup starts June 2 with a Salute to America Kick-Off, June 9’s theme is “Flashback,†June 16 is Wingfest, June 23 is Mid-America Harley-Davidson Bike Night and on June 30, it’s Beach Party.
Bell said they expect people to come in from all over Cole County and in past years have had visitors from the Lake of the Ozarks come to events.
“It’s gotten bigger than I think we ever dreamed it would be,†she said.
In other action Tuesday, the commission signed an order approving the extension of the county’s half-cent sales tax. This means there will be no lag in the collection of the tax.
April 5 election results were certified Monday.
Cole County voters approved an extension of the half-cent capital improvement sales tax by what might be the largest percentage since it started.
County residents renewed Proposition A for another five years, continuing the tax into its seventh installment. The tax received 5,254 yes votes, or 79.04 percent, and 1,393 no votes, or 20.96 percent. The tax is estimated to generate $31 million for the county in five years.
The tax will allow funding for road and bridge projects, which receive 85 percent of the funds generated, and facility and equipment improvements, which receive the remaining 15 percent of the funding.