Grillin' and Chillin' Gets Boost from City Council

Organizers for Grillin' and Chillin' 3 have one less thing to worry about. The City of Dixon will not be charging them for services incurred during the event slated for July 21 in Downtown Dixon.

Last night during a meeting of the Dixon City Council, the council voted unanimously to not charge the organizers of the rib and chili cook-off the amount of $4,250 for everything from equipment to city staff costs.

Dixon Police Chief Jon Cox told the council last night that the amount incurred by the event and passed onto the city was reduced from $5,271 to $4,250.

Back on May 8, event organizer Mike Hamilton sent a request to the city to discuss ways to reduce the costs. The meeting took place on May 17 and the city along with Hamilton found a way to reduce a large portion of the estimated costs.

“The day of the event requires Public Works staff time for traffic control from 6 a.m., to midnight at five locations, and three uniformed Dixon Police officers to patrol the event from 11 a.m., to 11 p.m. Alternatives were examined for staffing these various requirements during the event,” a city staff report read. “Further cost reduction measures were discussed and identified and Pernell Colter was able to reduce Public Works costs by approximately 20 percent (a reduction of approximately $680). The Police Chief will also handle supervisory responsibilities in place of a sergeant for six of the 12 hours of the event at no charge. This would reduce the cost by an additional $340, for a total reduction of $1,020. The total estimated cost for overtime staff for the event is now approximately $4,250. Mr. Hamilton is requesting that the city provide staff for this event at no cost."

Hamilton himself addressed the council last night.

“Last year 15 percent, maybe even more that than (of attendees) stayed at our hotels,” Hamilton told the council. “They had to buy food, fuel and everything else. The people who benefited from this are youth groups, businesses and gas stations and other charity events. Nobody at Grillin’ and Chillin’ gets paid, not one dime.”

Hamilton also pointed out that many businesses and local groups have stepped up to donate for the cause.

He said: “If we take any of those out of the thing, Grillin’ and Chillin’ wouldn’t happen,” he said. I think that Grillin’ and Chillin’ is an investment for the city.”

The councilmen agreed with Hamilton’s sentiments.

“I know people who have come back to town (to businesses) that they have seen at Grillin’ and Chillin’,” Vice Mayor Dane Besneatte said.  “And while it may only be the third one it has grown exponentially. I just cant imagine that the city would lose money. My feeling is that to offer in kind services …  I think it’s promoting the city and helping bring some favorable publicity and monies.”

Councilman Rick Fuller stated that if money was to be granted out of the city’s General Fund for the event, they must show a benefit from it.

However, City Manger Jim Lindley said that the city had never before been provided with a line-item account of the finances including in-kind contributions, the amount of attendees and other items associated with the event.

Mayor Jack Batchelor suggested that the organizers provide them a full, post-Grillin’ and Chillin’ report after the event to give them a better idea of how far the city’s investment went.

The councilmembers agreed that each group seeking funds from the city, should be required to provide a post-event report to the city.

The motion to give Grillin’ and Chillin’ in-kind services of $4,250 carried unanimously.

For more information on Grillin’ and Chillin’ visit dixonribcookoff.com