Buda city leaders expressed concern regarding the city’s continued support of Budafest at Tuesday night’s Buda City Council meeting after members of the event’s committee failed to show for a post-event presentation.
Buda Tourism Director Lysa Gonzales said the presentation was lacking information due to a lack of communication with committee members Eileen Conley and Bert Bronaugh.
Gonzales said all attempts to contact the two had been fruitless. She said city staff was able to get a copy of the food and sales vendor applications, and they were able to get through to some vendors who paid the registration fee of $100 or $125.
Budafest had been canceled due to weather in December 2016 and was not rescheduled. However, some vendors complained they were not reimbursed their application fees.
Gonzales said both applications are lacking in “reimbursement” language, but there was an apparent $40 credit for the 2017 event that was offered to vendors.
Council member Eileen Altmiller opposed Buda being involved with the event in the future because of the lack of cooperation with committee members.
“We feel a little betrayed by Budafest committee members for not communicating with city staff on this,” Altmiller said.
City staff recommendations included halting involvement with the Budafest event in the future, said Buda City Manager Kenneth Williams. He added staff is “reluctant” to support the event in the future.
“It’s too bad they ruined that for everyone,” Altmiller said.
The Hays Free Press attempted to speak with Bronaugh before the meeting, but he did not respond to before press time.
