South Jax cuts Concert in the Cornfield budget by $57,000

By Ryne Turke on November 14, 2015 at 11:01am

Financial reports for the South Jacksonville Celebration are being released to the public ahead of schedule.

Co-chair Paula Belobrajdic-Stewart planned to announce the numbers next month, but altered those plans because of a pending FOIA request.

Belobrajdic-Stewart says the 2015 Concert in the Cornfield was a success, considering the short amount of time provided.

“Our concert budget we were given was $160,000, but we cut the budget by $57,000. That included the talent and everything else. Our revenue for the concert was close to $43,000. We are looking at a transfer amount from the tourism account of just over $62,000. That would be our shortfall.”

Belobrajdic-Stewart considers that $42,000 in revenue a profit, because the money put forth for the concert comes from hotel-motel taxes.

“I can’t really speak for the past, because the more we have gotten into that, the numbers just aren’t there for past events. Our treasurer Kathy Simpson has given us very exact accountings. That will give trustees something to work from. These are not loses, because there is no taxpayer money involved here.”

Ticket sales estimate that 1,500 people attended the September concert, headlined by the Charlie Daniel’s Band.

To check out the report, click here.