A proposed additional charge on tickets for events at city-owned venues is seen by city officials as a way to increase spending on infrastructure of those facilities.
However, not everyone impacted is playing the same tune.
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is voicing concern over the issue, saying the proposed fees for its users would end up hurting attendance or the symphony’s bottom line.
The bill being heard by City Council committees this week proposes bumping fees to $2.50 per ticket for events at The Times-Union Center for Performing Arts, Veterans Memorial Arena and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. It currently is $1 for those at the performing arts center and arena and 50 cents at the baseball facility.
Jacksonville Jaguars games at EverBank Field would continue to bring in $3.25 per ticket, while events at the under-construction amphitheater and stadium for non-games would be $2.50.
It would be the first time in nearly 20 years the fees have been adjusted and it’s expected to generate close to $1.4 million more in fiscal 2017-18 to maintain those facilities.
Robert Massey, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony Association, appeared before the first committee Monday to relay concerns outlined in a letter he sent council members over the weekend.
The symphony, he told the Neighborhoods, Community Investments and Services Committee, pays the city about $90,000 a year in rent, which doesn’t include security or other direct costs.
That also includes the organization eating the $1 ticket charge already imposed on customers.
Yet, after coming to terms with the city over the summer on a new lease that lowered costs, the symphony is poised to have its first budget surplus that would allow it to expand the season by three weeks next year.
Massey said if the increase goes into effect and the symphony continues to cover the costs, the $90,000 jumps to about $150,000, eliminating the surplus.
The other option would be to pass it on to customers, but marketing shows that would decrease attendance.
Massey said the symphony brings about 4,000 people Downtown for each performance.
Mike Weinstein, Mayor Lenny Curry’s chief financial officer, said the renegotiated lease already provided several favorable terms to help the symphony and the ticket surcharge was a user fee adjustment that was long overdue.
The initial plan was for the fees to be implemented Jan. 1. Weinstein said delays would only decrease possible collections for maintenance improvements next year.
“We feel like it has been time enough,” he said.
Council member Bill Gulliford led the discussion on the bill he proposed, saying he was a little concerned how the potential increases would impact the symphony and wanted to hear more.
He convinced his colleagues to defer the bill a cycle, which would push possible approval back to mid-January as opposed to next week due to the winter break.
A meeting among symphony representatives, the Curry administration and Gulliford is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. today to further discuss the issue.
Massey offered several suggestions in his letter on how to resolve the situation. They included carving out Jacoby Symphony Hall from the plan, adjusting the lease again or going forth with the fee but having the city commit to about $5 million in needed capital improvements to the facility.
The projects include repairing an HVAC system, making acoustical improvements to the hall and reconfiguring its balcony box.
Gulliford later said there would need to be consideration given to how making adjustments with the symphony might lead to other tenants at city venues seeking similar relief.
“We’ll have to see,” he said.
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