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11. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S MATTERS <br />11.A. 2009 HIBISCUS FESTIVAL <br />County Administrator Joseph Baird related that Milt Thomas, Chairman of the <br />Hibiscus Festival, had requested that the County waive the standard rental fees for using the <br />County's stage, with the canopy, and with County set-up, for the 2009 Hibiscus Festival. He <br />then asked for Board direction on Mr. Thomas's request. <br />Commissioner Wheeler wanted to know how often the County equipment was <br />loaned, and learned from Administrator Baird that over the past year (due to current economic <br />conditions), equipment has been loaned about eight times, with an estimated $20,000 lost in <br />rental revenues. Commissioner Wheeler wanted to see some consistency and criteria set for <br />payment or non-payment, and felt that even organizations for which payment was waived, <br />should pay the County's labor costs, which often involve overtime. <br />Vice Chairman Flescher expressed concerns about the expenses of overtime; felt <br />that there would have to be some limit set; wanted to see a return to the non-profit rate; and <br />encouraged partnering with the municipalities to see if equipment could be shared and expenses <br />reduced. <br />Commissioner Solari wanted to know why the City of Vero Beach was not <br />providing the stage, and additionally inquired why the canopy had to be included. <br />Milt Thomas, Chairman, Hibiscus Festival, provided details on the Hibiscus <br />Festival, which is a Community Event, and fundraiser for three organizations. He explained that <br />there was no sponsor for the requested stage, and that the City's stage (being provided for free), <br />was being used for another purpose. He added that many of the parents had requested inclusion <br />25 <br />February 3, 2009 <br />