The Columbia County Community and Emergency Services Committee approved moving an agreement regarding union stagehand employees to the debate agenda before the full Board of Commissioners.
John Luton, director of community services, said the contract is with UTP Productions, Inc. for stagehand labor for concerts and theatrical productions at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center.
“This is just to formalize our service with a contract,” Luton said. “They provide the union labor for production for large shows at the PAC. A big show comes in, they have a large ticket that says we need x amount of production for this concert of show, UTP is sort of the exclusive organization that can provide that number of labor, that number of skilled labor for this. We consider, that is considered a sole source we would like to go ahead and formalize that with a contract with the county.”
County Manager Scott Johnson said the Broadway shows require it, and if the county wants to bring Broadway shows to the PAC, it is needed.
The committee approved moving the item forward to the full Board of Commissioners.
The CES Committee also approved moving forward an agreement with Major League Fishing to host the Phoenix Bass Fishing regional tournament at Clarkes Hill Lake Oct. 17-19. The county will be responsible for a $10,000 host fee.
Luton said this is a large and prestigious tournament and that they’ve worked with this organization in the past. He added that the tournament will be Oct. 17-19, 2024.
The committee approved a tournament agreement with the GA Bulls Soccer Club for two tournaments, one in August [which has already taken place] and one in January. The two tournaments are expected to have an economic impact of $600,000. Following the January tournament, the host fee of $30,000 will be paid.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at the Evans Government Center.
Stephanie Hill is the managing editor and covers Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
