annexation and the horse show

[RecycleMichael]

Today's paper mentioned how the horse show people are re-evaluating their decision to bring their show to town because of the city council's decision to annex the fairgrounds.

$40 million at stake: Annexation vote causes horse show to hesitate

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
4/26/2007

Organizers of a horse show that is expected to put $40 million into the local economy are questioning their decision to come to Tulsa now that the City Council has voted to annex Expo Square. Lance Walters, chairman of the Arabian Horse Association's U.S. National Show Commission, issued a statement this week that says "the resulting tax ramification of the proposed annexation is of great concern as both a matter of trust and for its financial impact to our membership."

Susan Bavaria, the association's director of communications, said Wednesday that the organization would make no further public statements on the Tulsa show until the annexation issue has been resolved. The group has a three-year contract with the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, which operates the fairgrounds, to hold the U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show at Expo Square beginning in October 2008.

The Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the three-week event will generate $40 million in economic activity in the community. Sheryl Lovelady, a spokeswoman for Mayor Kathy Taylor, said the mayor had spoken several times with the show's organizers to address their concerns about the annexation vote and its potential effects on the show. "That's the issue," Lovelady said.

The council voted 5-4 on April 5 to annex the fairgrounds. Supporters of annexation argued that the city was entitled to and in desperate need of the revenues it would collect by charging its 3 percent city sales tax at the fairgrounds. Opponents argued, in part, that the additional tax would hurt business at the fairgrounds.

Taylor has until May 14 to veto the annexation.
The City Charter gives the mayor 15 working days after she receives an ordinance to veto it. If no action is taken, the measure is approved. The annexation ordinance originally went to Taylor on April 11 but was pulled by the Legal Department because of a scrivener's error, City Clerk Kim Bennett said. The ordinance went back to Taylor on Monday.

Walters' statement makes it clear that the association is watching to see what Taylor will do. "We anxiously await Mayor Taylor's decision and sincerely hope that it is in the best interest of the AHA membership," the statement says. It also hints that the association has other options.

The Arabian Horse Association "entertained proposals from numerous venues nationwide which were, and continue to be, interested in hosting the U.S. National Championships," the statement says. The decision in 2004 to come to Tulsa was based on many factors, including "contractual parameters that have now changed," it says.

Lovelady said she does not believe that the association asked Taylor to veto the annexation. That decision must be made in a broader context, she said. "I think she (Mayor Taylor) will make a decision that's based on the city's long-term interests, not on a case-by-case basis," Lovelady said. "Annexation is bigger than one event."

Randi Miller, chairwoman of the fair board, said she and her fellow county commissioners are not surprised by the development. Before the City Council voted on annexation, Walters sent a letter, which Miller read to city councilors during a public meeting, outlining similar concerns. "This is just some of the unintended consequences of the annexation that the county commissioners knew would happen," Miller said.

Is this just a last ditch effort to scare the Mayor into a veto of the council decision? I don't go to horse shows so I don't understand how an extra three penny sales tax would effect their show.

Do they sell that much stuff? What do they sell?

[Wilbur]

I'm not familiar with these horse shows at the Fairgrounds, but do they really sell that much stuff at these events to make a national program pull out of Tulsa just because of 3% sales tax?  What cities was this horse show conducted in the past and what was the sales tax there?

I believe someone at the county got someone at the horse show to send the letter simply because of the annexation controversy.  

And how much of the improvements at the Fairgrounds were based on the agreement this particular show would come to Tulsa?  Wasn't that part of selling four-to-fix?

[Conan71]

My opposition to the annexation has been quite clear, at the very least to the speculative and bull-headed logic that went into it.

However, I really don't see the 3% causing a hardship on the people who own and show Arabians.  These are some pretty affluent people and they are going to be paying the 3% at every restaurant and store they visit while they are in town.  I'm guessing they will wind up spending a far greater part of their money off the fairgrounds than on it while here for three weeks.

[Breadburner]

Why should they care....It's still zoned AG nothing has changed....Unless of course the county folks have been running their mouths to them....

[Wrinkle]

quote: Taylor has until May 14 to veto the annexation. The City Charter gives the mayor 15 working days after she receives an ordinance to veto it. If no action is taken, the measure is approved. The annexation ordinance originally went to Taylor on April 11 but was pulled by the Legal Department because of a scrivener's error, City Clerk Kim Bennett said. The ordinance went back to Taylor on Monday.

What a load of Arabian Horse Hockey.
Heck, it ain't that good, this is more like glue factory floor scrapings.

Funny how the 'scrivener's error' wasn't mentioned until the day of committment.

Taylor gets an "F" on this one.
The World gets an "F" for newspaper.

Let's see the actual 'scrivener's error', and the head of the 'scrivener'.

Besides being dishonest, it shows an incredible lack of substance or creativity. It's in-your-face disrespect. Besides, it doesn't take two weeks to correct a typo, if it even existed.

This isn't going to get it.

[Wrinkle]

quote: $40 million at stake: Annexation vote causes horse show to hesitate

The CONTRACT is in hand. And, as pointed out in the Council meeting, they've signed off on all City encumberances. It's a deal.

Otherwise, a b-r-e-a-c-h is what it's called, in legal terms.

Maybe we could make back all the 4-to-Fix Version II in Court, and never have to actually perform.

[cannon_fodder]

Annexation was dumb.

I havent seen any numbers that put the city ahead on the deal when they factor in their new obligations.  Not to mention the potential loss of revenue.  

If even one major event (like the Arabian show) leaves then it was IN NO WAY worth it.  I hope it gets veto'd or otherwise over turned.

That said, the world has been against this since the start.  It isnt beyond them to make a political statement into a story.

And one last thing.  As weak as this city council is, I'm sure they could be persuaded to wave the fee for any big event that demands it.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder


And one last thing.  As weak as this city council is, I'm sure they could be persuaded to wave the fee for any big event that demands it.

So then we just waive all fees for the larger shows, and we wind up with the same net revenue we get now, or less [B)].  Just brilliant Councilor Turner et. al.

This whole rush to annexation has been a total "pancakes are they thinking???" deal for me.

[RecycleMichael]

I went to their website and found out about their shopping. This is from the 2006 show in Kentucky...

Shopping Expo
Find the best in Arabian horse clothing, reading, art and more and the Largest Arabian horse shopping expo in the world. Held just 2 1/2 months before Christmas, it's the ideal place to complete your holiday shopping in one fell swoop.

Arabian Horse clothing? Are they so expensive that 3% sales tax means that your horse will now have to wear last year's fashions again?

There must be a matching shoes joke here somewhere...

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

There must be a matching shoes joke here somewhere...

Every time someone mentions shoes in regards to a horse, I think of that movie "Kingpin".  Woody Harrelson asked to take off a horses "shoes", takes off all 4 hooves.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I went to there website and found out about there shopping. This is from the 2006 show in Kentucky...

Shopping Expo
Find the best in Arabian horse clothing, reading, art and more and the Largest Arabian horse shopping expo in the world. Held just 2 1/2 months before Christmas, it's the ideal place to complete your holiday shopping in one fell swoop.

Arabian Horse clothing? Are they so expensive that 3% sales tax means that your horse will now have to wear last year's fashions again?

There must be a matching shoes joke here somewhere...

2nd coffee-spitting laugh of the day.

[South_Tulsan]

I don't think its funny. There are enough taxes we have to deal with everyday.

The council members who voted for annexation are bastards, IMO.

[shadows]

The threat of the horse show to pull out is not because of the tribute that the councilors demand merely because it is available.  

The horse show promoters made an agreement with the county fair board which seems to be headed toward a city/county fair board agreement.

If annexed, further stipulations could be added as the contract was drawn between of only one of two who would have jurisdiction over the fair grounds.  [I would not assume the contract is enforceable. ]

In the political planning one would assume the proposal is to  form a city/county fire district and remove the fire department from the general fund, transferring it to the property taxes; thus releasing millions of dollars to maintain the white elephants under construction down town.

If one is looking for a scrivener's error' go to the library and spend 30 minutes reading the amended charter converting the city government to a very strong mayor with a very weak council and you will realize why those who deal in horses don't want to be shoved around while there are many other places with more compatible governing bodies.

Still if unconvinced go to city hall and read the ordinance to call an election or the election board on N. Denver and read the ballot.

Don't believe it is the 3% on the very few applicable items but they just don't want to deal with the two governing bodies.   One urban and one rural.    

     

[Townsend]

Tulsa World just tweeted the Arabian Horse show will remain at Expo through 2017.

[cannon_fodder]

Damn socialists using government money to build quality infrastructure to attract revenue generating ventures that helps enhance the city. 

Great infrastructure yields great results.  The same is true for the port, the BOk center, etc.  Glad to hear it works at expo.