Slow Subsidy In New York

Onondaga County is still waiting for a $119,000 subsidy from the state of New York for a Miranda Lambert concert that took place during the state fair in Geddes, N.Y., Sept. 3.

Pollstar reported in March the dispute between County Comptroller Bob Antonacci and County Executive Joanie Mahoney over the inaugural concert at the Lakeview Amphitheatre. Antonacci released an audit challenging the credibility of records indicating the county profited from the show. Mahoney stated the money was used for expenses and planning and the audit was driven by politics.

The state reportedly has yet to pay but Deputy County Executive Bill Fisher isn’t concerned.

“The state pays when the state pays and they always do,” Fisher told Onondaga County’s planning and economic development committee, according to the Post-Standard. “They’re good for the money. We’re waiting on a variety of reimbursement grants and we fully anticipate that will be paid … We’re not going to miss payroll if we don’t get that money next week.”

Antonacci insinuates that taxpayers will be left with the bill and the Planning and Economic Development Committee held a briefing concerning the status of the $50 million venue. Chairwoman Kathy Rapp requested a plan to confirm the amphitheater “operates in the black, not the red” and asked Fisher to outline the plan for the committee this month, according to the paper.

The venue is owned by the county, managed by SMG and booked by Live Nation.