[MainstreetTowns] Main Street Banquet

[Buffy Hughes]

Good afternoon.  Below is a message from Secretary Deby Snodgrass regarding the Main Street Awards and Banquet.  I welcome any comments, suggestions, or ideas regarding this situation.

Thank you,
Buffy

Buffy Hughes
State Main Street Director
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
900 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104
E: Buffy.Hughes at okcommerce.gov
P: 405.815.5249
C: 405.664.1260
OKcommerce.gov/main-street




[MSALOGO_17COPROGRAM_CMYK]



Greetings Main Streeters!

A new chapter in the state budget saga is being written right now, but the ending will be the same - more budget cuts.  The only question is how much.  Since 2009, Commerce has had its budget cut 39%.  We have gone from 143 employees just five years ago to 94 today - and one-fifth of those that remain have not had a raise in the last five years - for some, it has been 11 years since their last increase.  For these reasons, I have explained to Buffy that a banquet is no longer a justifiable expense for our agency.  Other state agencies have already eliminated banquets and conferences to save money and we need to follow their example.

Last year, the cost of the banquet was $41,440.66.  Ticket sales amounted to $20,340.00.  Enid's contribution to the banquet was $15,042.67, but they received grants totaling $10,000.00 to cover their cost.  The grants were funded by the legislative appropriation to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and paid to National Main Street as part of our contract.  To protect Commerce and Main Street, I have requested an Attorney General's opinion on the legality of this pass-through practice.

I understand that the Main Street banquet is a long-held tradition and something you do not want to give up.  If the host committee can raise $20,000 in sponsorships or you are willing to double the price of the tickets so the event can be held at little or no cost to the taxpayers, the Main Street staff can continue to provide planning and support.

My recommendation is that you consider the practice of the Governor's Arts Awards and hold your event at the Capitol during the legislative session.  That will allow the Governor and your lawmakers to attend and have their photos taken with you.  It will also save your individual Main Street operations money since you will not need to buy tickets it will be held during the day and most of you will not need to spend the night.

It's your decision! I have outlined three options:

*         Hold the banquet, with the host city (or a combination of cities) soliciting sponsors to supplement the revenue from tickets and cover costs.

*         Hold the banquet and cover costs by doubling the amount of the ticket price.

*         In lieu of a banquet, hold an awards ceremony at the Capitol during the legislative session.

Your feedback is important.  Please respond to this email and let us know how you would like to proceed.  Thank you!

Deby Snodgrass| Secretary of Commerce & Tourism
Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Commerce
405-815-5306 | Deby_Snodgrass at okcommerce.gov<mailto:Deby_Snodgrass at okcommerce.gov>

[facebook]<http://facebook.com/okcommerce>

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OKcommerce.gov<http://okcommerce.gov/>




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