The City of Forney announced the plans to take over the event formerly known as Forney Home Town Christmas (FHTC) at the last City Council meeting on September 3, 2013. The Forney City Council then approved the city's application for Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds tonight, September 17, 2013, during their regularly scheduled council meeting for funding of the Christmas event.
The question still remains whether the city will change the name of the Christmas event. Worries the city wouldn't have enough time to raise money for the event were quelled tonight when City Manager Brian Brooks announced that $11,000 has already been committed by sponsors. With an event budget of nearly $34,000 in 2012, with $11,000 committed for 2013 from sponsors, and with $12,000 in HOT Funds approved by the Forney City Council, City Manager Brian Brooks said confidently, “I think we can handle it.”
The city took over the event after past board members of FHTC and the Forney Area Chamber of Commerce did not request Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds for the event and ultimately decided to drop it altogether. Ryan Kile, of Kile Properties and one of three original FHTC committee members, cited allegations of misappropriation of HOT Funds made by Council Member Andy Parker against members of the FHTC committee as one of the reasons they withdrew from the event.
“Part of that decision was made because of accusations and part of it was made because of liability the chamber felt was too great,” said Kile. However, the Chamber of Commerce submitted two other applications for HOT funds which totaled $27,500 and were approved by the Forney City Council at the September 3, 2013, meeting.
Council Member Ray Stephens responded, “the council is not going to punish you if the event was rained out,” and cited a section of the HOT Funds application. Stephens commended Kile, “you've done an awesome job and I support the Chamber of Commerce.”
The city has released preliminary plans for the Christmas event on December 7, 2013, which will begin at noon and go until 6:30 p.m. ending with a tree lighting ceremony in downtown Forney.
The city took over the event after past board members of FHTC and the Forney Area Chamber of Commerce did not request Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds for the event and ultimately decided to drop it altogether. Ryan Kile, of Kile Properties and one of three original FHTC committee members, cited allegations of misappropriation of HOT Funds made by Council Member Andy Parker against members of the FHTC committee as one of the reasons they withdrew from the event.
“Part of that decision was made because of accusations and part of it was made because of liability the chamber felt was too great,” said Kile. However, the Chamber of Commerce submitted two other applications for HOT funds which totaled $27,500 and were approved by the Forney City Council at the September 3, 2013, meeting.
Council Member Ray Stephens responded, “the council is not going to punish you if the event was rained out,” and cited a section of the HOT Funds application. Stephens commended Kile, “you've done an awesome job and I support the Chamber of Commerce.”
The city has released preliminary plans for the Christmas event on December 7, 2013, which will begin at noon and go until 6:30 p.m. ending with a tree lighting ceremony in downtown Forney.