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File #: 0676-2026    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Consent
File created: 3/2/2026 In control: Neighborhoods, Recreation, & Parks Committee
On agenda: 3/30/2026 Final action:
Title: To authorize the transfer of $311,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund for the support of music licensing, and Jazz & Rib Fest and CBUS Soul Fest; to authorize the appropriation of $311,000.00 in the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund. ($311,000.00)
Attachments: 1. Hotel Motel Funding template 2026 Draft 2-20- 2026 Earl.pdf
Explanation

Background: This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $311,000.00 from the existing Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Department of Recreation and Parks for the support of music licensing for various annual festivals and cultural arts programming; the 45th annual Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest and the 5th annual CBUS Soul Fest.

All public performances of music, whether live, recorded or broadcast, must be licensed through either ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or GMR. The City holds a municipal license which covers events at facilities owned and/or operated by the city and any site engaged by the city for use by the city. In addition to Recreation and Parks’ programs and facilities, coverage is extended to: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Columbus Commons productions, Veterans’ Day Parade, King Arts Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Zoo and all other city conducted programs and facilities that play or present music. Recreation and Parks will expend $35,000.00 for annual licenses.
The Department will expend $276,000.00 of the allocated Hotel/Motel funding to produce various festivals including the 45th annual Jazz & Rib Fest- one of the region’s largest free jazz festivals and the 5th annual Cbus Soul Fest, celebrating Columbus’ Black culture, music and soul.
The Department will not expend any portion of this funding to pay the cost of food/beverages.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the transfer and appropriation of $311,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund for expenditure as stated on the attached funding template.

Title

To authorize the transfer of $311,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund to the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund for the support of music licensing, and Jazz & Rib Fest and CBUS Soul Fest; to authorize the appropriation of $311,000.00 in the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund. ($311,000.00)

Body

WHEREAS, Columbus City Code Section 371.02 allows for the alloc...

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