Steubenville Council Members Raise Issues With Process on Nutcracker Village Sponsorship Fee
Linda Harris Steubenville City Council last week clarified where the $5,000 sponsorship fee for Steubenville Nutcracker Village will be drawn from, and also how it's going to be used.
Council signed off on the expenditure at its June 11 meeting, though several members were hesitant. At last week's meeting, three of the "aye" voice voters said they would have liked to discuss the funding request more fully before the vote.
Councilman at large Joel Walker pointed out the funds had been slated to come out of the mayor's $35,000 celebrations budget, but the bulk of that money- $25,000 -- is committed to the Fourth of July celebration. As of Thursday, Mayor Jerry Barilla had also requested $3,225 for the city's Juneteenth festivities.
Last year's Steubenville Nutcracker Village sponsorship fee was drawn from this year's celebration account as well, leaving just a $1,775 balance.
"There's not enough money in there to cover the $5,000," Walker said.
Second Ward Councilman Tracy McManamon, who'd requested the approval, said he'd cleared it with Finance Director Dave Lewis prior to the June 11 meeting. Lewis at that time had said both of the Nutcracker Village expenditures "need to be included in the next budget amendment, along with any adjustments for additional spending or savings from the July 4 and Juneteenth celebrations.
"We have the money," City Manager Jim Mavromatis advised. "We'll settle it up later."
Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo reminded council he'd voted no on the 2024 funding commitment, pointing out, "we didn't discuss it" before the vote.
"I want to support the Steubenville Cultural Trust and Nutcracker Village, but I didn't think about where the money was coming from," Third Ward Councilwoman Heather Hoover said. "Last year I was under the impression it was coming from the general fund. I'm hoping as we go forward as a council we have an opportunity to discuss things (before voting.) It's not that I don't support Nutcracker Village, but I don't think I'll be supporting any voice votes from here on out unless we have that discussion."
First Ward Councilman Dave Albaugh concurred, saying, "I had a lot of people reach out to me wanting to know where it's going. They said it's public money and there needs to be an accountability element. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't bring it up."
"I'm like you," Albaugh told Hoover. "I support it, but people want to know what it's being spent on -- and being public money, they have a right to know."
McManamon, who said he was asked that question during the June 11 meeting, told council the money will help pay for advertising.
Sixth Ward Councilman Mike Hernon made it clear he fully supports the project, but said in future, "I think it's fair to have a conversation and make sure we have clarity."