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City files lawsuit against rodeo
By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner StaffPublished: December 22, 2008 12:46 am
GREENVILLE —
The
attorney for the City of Greenville has filed a lawsuit against a North
Texas professional rodeo, even though a former official of the
organization attempted to provide paperwork detailing how the rodeo
spent the city’s tourism dollars.
Brent Money said he had filed
the suit Friday morning, even though the former treasurer for the Pro
Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) North East Texas Stampede Rodeo
appeared before the City Council during a special session last Thursday
night.
“I did not know they were coming to the meeting,” Money
said, adding that even though Sandra Salley handed in a folder of
documentation at the meeting, “What they provided for us is not what is
required under the contract.”
The City of Greenville charges a
tax of 7 percent on each night’s stay in a local hotel or motel room
and then divides the money among the various groups which have applied
for the funds. The events they sponsor must enhance and promote tourism
and the convention and hotel industry in Greenville. The applications
are reviewed by the Tourism and Convention Advisory Board, then the
Board’s recommendations are presented to the City Council, which has
the final say as to what is eventually included in the annual city
budget.
The rodeo received $10,000 in funding this past year and
in May hosted the seventh annual rodeo in the arena at the Hunt County
Fairgrounds. Under the contract, the rodeo is required to provide
either an audit or a copy of a similar form filed with the Internal
Revenue Service. Money has said what the rodeo had earlier submitted
had numerous problems and that the IRS had not received any report.
Salley
told the Council Thursday she had not been involved with the rodeo this
last year, but when she learned about the potential lawsuit she
attempted to obtain what the city was seeking.
“I compiled it
and put it all together,” Salley said, adding the current official with
the rodeo had been undergoing a series of personal difficulties.
“Hopefully, this will take care of this matter,” Salley said. “I’m terribly sorry this has taken this long.”
But Money said what was turned in, which he described as a spreadsheet of expenses, was insufficient.
“There is no verification for any of this,” Money said. “I really don’t know what it is, to tell you the truth.”
Money
said he appreciated Salley attempting to make good, but the city would
need additional documentation in order to be satisfied.
“Hopefully we can work this out,” Money said. “But as of now, it is not over yet.”
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