Those who live near Ludington will often hear on the radio or read in the local paper about the fun to be had at Friday Night Live (FNL) with free admission and tons of fun free things to do. The Community Development Director, who also happens to lead the Downtown Development Authority, boasts about these events that take place on up to four Fridays each summer as:


This is a FREE event to the public. All Inflatable rides, Baby Badger rides, Entertainment, Games & Activities are provided at no cost…


http://www.ludington.mi.us/departments/community_development/friday...


I like free, and I like fun. In the past, I have enjoyed plenty of fun, free events put on by the local jaycees, chamber of commerce, and businesses. Parades, fireworks, festivals, etc. which were investments made by these organizations for the goodwill and patronage of the locals and our visitors.


One will note that FNL is primarily sponsored by the Downtown Ludington Board, which also functions as our Downtown Development Authority (DDA). We have noticed that the primary funding (around 90%) of the DDA is funded through taxpayer dollars via a DDA millage and ‘captured’ millage from city and county sources ( see pt 2 of this series).


If the DDA is divesting a lot of cash into FNL is it truly a free event to those who own property in this area and pay their taxes?  And is this money spent in a way that the DDA can recoup its expenses so as to be effectively revenue neutral?  I have the public records for the last three years, and the answer to both questions appear to be “no”. And it seems we are only investing more and more tax dollars each year, in something that could probably function better and have more to offer if it was privately funded.

Here’s what the financial records show for 2008:
Date     Description       Cost

7-14 FNL Performer (6) 1300.00
7-28 Basketball Free Throw Game 160.00
7-28 FNL Performer (3) 525.00
8-11 FNL Tees 1927.50
8-11 Inflatables-FNL (2) 2067.00
8-11 Buns- FNL 87.30
8-11 FNL Performer 200.00
8-11 Skate Park Banner-FNL 250.00
8-11 FNL Pop/Water 124.16
8-25 Inflatable-FNL 980.50
8-25 FNL Food 63.00
9-08 FNL Supplies 34.17
9-22 Inflatables- FNL 1033.50
Total:                  $8752.13



The totals for 2009 included costs of performers, inflatables, a photo booth, as well as for another sign and various reimbursements that totaled $9250.
The totals for 2010 included the usual costs along with:

07-12 Propane Refills 29.50
07-12 Advertising 745.48
07-20 Contractual Services 300.00
09-13 FNL Helpers 200.00

In 2010, the total costs to the DDA for FNL was $10,804.98

Between ’08 and ’09 the costs increased 5.6 %, but then it increased 16.8% between ’09 and ’10. They are scheduled on bringing up this year’s DDA events tonight at the City Council meeting, which include an extra Friday for FNL and an increased budgeted amount of $12,500—which of course could be raised.


Now how much money does the DDA take back? Well, they buy thousands of dollars worth of performers and inflatables, along with pop, propane, banners, $2000 worth of T-shirts, games, photo booths, etc. with tax dollars but there is not a cent of revenue they report back from it on the financial records. This can’t be, can it? Let’s take a look at the latest budget to make sure.

 

It’s true, they report nothing from FNL (just like the nothing they have gotten from the NYE Ball Drop, see pt. 3)—but they do plan on making $1500 in the future from it.

So the next time you hear that Friday Night Live is a free event where all manner of entertainment is provided at no cost, just remember last year all the property owners in Ludington helped pay the $4800 to the performers, $4000 for the inflatables, and $2000 for the other stuff even if you never attended a FNL.  And this isn’t even considering the hidden costs of administration and public employee time and overtime.  A substantial consideration when we consider that $20,000 jump in DDA administration costs.

DDA Financial Records January 2008- November 2010:

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If indeed, as the record shows, that the DDA is "recapturing funds of taxpayers", then indeed, this is not a "free FNL for anyone". And, to boot, it shows quite plainly, that property assessments/ taxes for the City taxpayers is too high, i.e., this is over the top moneys NOT going to normal City expenses, that I would call, expressly, icing on the top, or moreover, siphoning off the top. I'm still asking the question of how nearly $5grand in performers' expenses is directly paid for a scant 4 FNL performances? This in itself, at $1200/nite for just a few hours, seems ridiculous for the type of performers hired, it's $400/hr. on avg.. Anyone else see this as extravagant and frivolous? Ok, if you're hiring Willie Nelson/Deff Leppard/Lady GaGa, or some big names, maybe, but this just hasn't happened to my knowledge. Regular DJ's and Karaoke people only charge $150-250/nite, not $1200! Better get my old drums/clarinet/keyboards out if this is the pay scale now.
Max, you must have missed my earlier comment about the Clown Band. I'm surprised at you, I thought you knew, as a long-timer resident, that it's their trademark and a joke for the public to laugh at, the "drag costumes" that they have had since their inception practically. It's a time to rejoice in the 4th of July/Summer festivities, with a side of levity to celebrate and get good cheer from as you hoist your adult beverage. Hell, the grandmaster used to , and still does, a striptease melody/dance as the finale for their performance, at least, they used to for many decades. Maybe that's gone now, didn't know that, if so. I always got a big kick out of it, I would hope others would comment either way if so inclined.

Unfortunately, the DDA is not going to justify these expenses or explain where the money they make goes.  Sure, they can say this money gets reinvested until their faces turn blue-- but why don't the records show it?  Like the New Year's Eve Ball Drop, a lot of money is put into it, and money that comes out of it is not accounted for. 

As has been stated, The State Act that governs DDAs mandate monthly financial records where expenses are available to the public for scrutiny.  I don't consider most of their entries as 'clear' as they apparently do, and $2500 per month for administration fees have still not been defined, despite two FOIA requests.

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