By Terra Rivers | Managing Editor
Last Tuesday, the San Marcos City Council considered a resolution authorizing funding in the amount of $50,000 for marketing and promotion of the Go Wheels Up event.
The request was made by Go Wheels Up Texas LLC to help promote the 2nd annual event and increase attendance.
Go Wheels Up is a car show, plane show and music festival hosted at the San Marcos Regional Airport in May.
Director of Finance Heather Hulbert said they felt it would be appropriate to take the funding from the hotel and motel tax fund as the event does bring in visitors from out of town who will be staying in local hotels.
Councilmembers Dr. Joca Marquez and Maxfield Baker expressed opposition to providing funds to the event organizer for marketing and promotion efforts.
Marquez said she could not support a request for funding for a single event when a similar request made by the San Marcos Premium outlets was denied by the council three months ago.
“I just don’t think that as we continue to look forward at sustainability,” Baker said, “Having a whole festival about unsustainable things where food vending that is likely going to result in trash…is one of the best things to be spending our money on.”
Council members shared a general consensus that $50,000 was a lot of money to consider.
According to Hulbert, the five-year agreement with Go Wheels Up Texas LLC does not include a monetary contribution from the city guarantee; the license agreement only promises the use of the San Marcos Regional Airport.
Council approved a motion 4 to 3 to provide funds for marketing and promotion efforts of the event at a reduced amount of $30,000. Councilmembers Saul Gonzales, Marquez and Baker voted against.
Mayor Jane Hughson noted that last year’s attendance was not as high as expected, but the event did experience weather issues.
Go Wheels Up! is scheduled for the weekend of May 29 thru May 30.
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More money to promote an event that tortures everyone who lives within a 3-5 mile radius of the airport. The city should spend that money putting all the residents who don't want to be at a 3-day concert up in hotels. In addition, the heavy bass of the music and engines contributes to birth defects and cognitive problems. This event violates OSHA standards for the limits of safe workplace noise exposure.
How insenstitive to say this. Can't we all just get along?
All weekend loud noises, Lord.....KOOM-BYE-AHHHHHHH