City announces proposed hikes to rental rates at auditorium, pavilion

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. has announced a proposed raise to rental rates for both the Ardis T. Williams Sr. Auditorium and the City Pavilion.

“Due to increasing operational and maintenance costs, the difficult decision was made to adjust rental fees,” city officials said in a statement Tuesday. “This change is essential to maintain high-quality service and the upkeep of these key community venues.”

Flaggs has spoken multiple times in recent meetings about the possibility of upping fees at both city venues as the Oct. 1 beginning of the new fiscal year approaches. Tuesday, city officials announced that, as of the Oct. 1 start date, new rental rates for the City Pavilion will increase from $100 to $200, with the additional $100 required deposit and insurance coverage of at least $50 remaining the same.

Rental rates at the Ardis T. Williams Sr. Auditorium will vary, depending on the specifics of the event.

Flaggs said the changes will be recommended to aldermen Alex Monsour and Thomas “T.J.” Mayfield, as well as to Director of Accounting Doug Whittington prior to a final vote.

“We are committed to ensuring that the Ardis T. Williams Auditorium and the City Pavilion remain accessible venues for all,” Flaggs said. “Although this decision was challenging, it is necessary to provide the best quality service to the community.”

Beginning Oct. 1, rates for the auditorium will include: school events, $650; government events, $650; fundraisers/benefits/501(c)(3), $650; church events, $650; fundraisers/repasts/memorials, $650; meetings/seminars, $1,000; receptions, $1,000; family reunions, $1,000; birthday parties, $1,000; class reunions, $1,000; social/civic clubs, $1,000; graduations, $1,000; dance/theatrical performances, $1,100; balls/dances, $1,100; circus, $1,200; gospel, $1,200; weddings/receptions, $1,200; trade shows/exhibits, $1,200; wrestling.boxing, $1,500; comedy shows, $1,500; pageants, $1,500; blues shows/concerts, $1,500; other, $1,200.

These fees do not include $200 deposit fees, insurance, or host liquor liability insurance. Security is a separate fee and paid to the security provider.

Checks may be made payable to the city clerk’s office; security to the provider; and host liquor liability fees to the event helper company.