It’s every entrepreneur’s dream.
Plan a business event with a guaranteed profit.
And that is exactly what the vote of the Shreveport City Council did on Tuesday.
A film festival has been planned for months.
The event organizer advised the Council that all the expenses have been covered by private funds, donations, and sponsorships.
There will be 2 showings of the films.
The tickets go for $20 bucks and she said the Crystal Stairs restaurant has a fire capacity of 124. Reportedly the event is totally sold out.
And all she wanted was to be reimbursed her expenses.
No mention was made of any offset of the expenses by ticket sales, private donations, sponsorships or other income sources for the film festival.
The Council voted to reimburse up to $10 grand of this lady’s documented expenses.
How legal is the guarantee of a profit for this private venture by the Council?
It’s a good question.
Another is the funding of a person who does not have a non-profit tax-exempt status.
Lastly is the issue of public dollars expended for a minority exclusive event.
Entrants in the festival could only be African American directors or African American screenwriters.
Maybe the city attorney’s office will skate on this issue by saying that the ticket sales are not limited to black individuals.
The Council needs to revisit this vote.
If nothing more to discuss the guarantee of a profit.
In the meantime, they can expect a big line of citizens who want to have a gig or start a business with no risk of loss.
For those that believe in Santa Clause, the next Council meeting is July 23 at 3 pm in Government Plaza.