County Settles With Promoter

Two Levy County Commissioners who voted against the reduction from $2,730 to $910 voiced their dismay that the promoter, Robert J. Nichols Jr., had already stopped payment on the check he wrote to the county.

For the commission it boiled down to whether they would pursue the non-payment of $2,730 in court, which would cost more than the amount owed, or have to go after the property owner, according to the Cedar Key Beacon.

And the commission decided there will be a new policy in effect for music events: Fees must be paid 30 days in advance. “That way the check is paid,” said Commission Chair John Meeks.

The Country Music Fest & Mud Bog Races held Oct. 16-17 at Bronson Speedway in Archer, Fla., only attracted 20 people the first day and about 300 the second, said County Coordinator Fred Moody. Moody said it wasn’t a good weekend to have the concert as there were several other local events scheduled, according to the paper.

“He’s asking for this because the event was a flop according to the newspaper,” Moody said. “He admits a lot of that was faults of his.” Moody claims part of the problem was Nichols was first told he did not need a special events permit from the county for the event. Then at the last minute he learned the county requires a special events permit for music events and requires the promoters to pay for security, traffic control, emergency medical services, sanitation and garbage, among other things, the Beacon said.

The original event called for overnight camping, but that was done away with, as were plans to sell beer. Moody said Nichols mentioned that the small turnout prompted sheriff’s deputies to leave early, lowering what he owed. In an Oct. 21 email to the commission, Nichols wrote: “I want to inform the County Commissioners that we have disputed the bill from Levy County EMS and stopped payment on the check.

It was bad enough that the county ham stringed us by not allowing camping for the weekend because of EMS charges of $280 an hour 24/7 if we had camping but to release a statement that there will be no alcohol sales at the event as we all know in this part of Florida is a ‘Kiss Of Death,’” the Beacon reported. The promoter also claimed he lost $50,000 on the event and had to dip into his retirement funds to pay the bills.