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Fort Smith Mayor Vetoes Motorcycle Rally Funding

FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Monday morning (Jan. 26) the Fort Smith mayor vetoed a decision, made by the city board of directors, to spend $84,000 in taxpayer money on a...

FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Monday morning (Jan. 26) the Fort Smith mayor vetoed a decision, made by the city board of directors, to spend $84,000 in taxpayer money on a motorcycle rally.

The Steel Horse Rally is scheduled to take place in downtown Fort Smith in May.

“I cannot justify spending tax dollars for what I think should be a private sector [event],” Mayor Sandy Sanders said.

The city directors approved spending the money last week on a four to three vote, but now can't give that money to the rally unless they override the mayor's veto.

“We were kind of taken back by the veto this morning,” Dennis Snow, president of the Steel Horse Rally, said. “We got an agreement last Friday that was nothing close to what we understood the vote was for. It said we could only spend the money for musical acts. Which is fine, but it also said we have to pay the money back.”

Snow said the rally will go forward with or without city money.

“At this point we are going to say thanks, but no thanks,” Snow said. “We've got way too much work to do.”

Snow said he's going to rely on sponsors.

“We've already got 200 volunteers, but now we need business’ and people to write checks,” Snow said.

The city directors will meet again next month to decide if they want to veto the mayor's decision. To override the veto, at least five of the seven city directors must vote against the mayor.

Snow estimates the total cost of the rally will be between $476,887 and $543,387 and believes it will bring in a revenue around $510,000.

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