Politics & Government

South Gate Council To Consider Subsidy Increase for Tweedy Mile Street Fair

Organizers of the street fair have asked the city for an additional $20,000.

 

On Tuesday, the South Gate City Council approved unanimously on a $20,000 subsidy agreement with the Tweedy Mile Association (TMA), a local merchants organization, for the purpose of carrying out the Tweedy Mile Street Fair. The latter is set to take place from May 31st to June 2nd on Tweedy Boulevard.This subsidy will help organizers pay for the safety and public work related costs that are associated with the three-day event.

Traditionally the street fair's safety and public works costs approximately $60,000. The TMA reimburses the city with $40,000 that it raises from the event. Meaning that the city of South Gate covers the remaining costs with its $20,000.

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However, tough economic obstacles have led the TMA to ask the city to increase their subsidy by another $20,000. The city would instead end up paying a $40,000 subsidy if the council were to agree to change their current agreement.

“The costs go up every year,” said Laverne Bates, who spoke on behalf of the TMA. “We have to have some help or else we can’t continue.”

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The council and city staff expressed concern over the possibility of an increase. South Gate’s finances are still suffering from the economic decline of the late 2000s.

“This is not a situation where staff is saying that there is no money available,” said city manager Michael Flad. “I will also tell you that we are looking at the budget projections and we have a very serious financial problem in the city.”

The fiscal situation of South Gate is fragile and more work needs be done.

“We need to get a handle on it,” affirmed Flad.

The councilmembers concurred that the street fair is a helpful event for the local business community. Therefore, they agreed to entertain the possibility of the increase and ordered staff to study it further.

A decision on this is expected during the next council meeting.

“We want to make sure we do things properly,” concluded South Gate Mayor Bill De Witt. 

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