SIDNEY — A grant request of Sidney Lodging Tax’s 2019 annual budget from Raise the Roof For the Arts was discussed Thursday morning.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a $10,000 grant request that was originally discussed at a meeting in October for considering, according to the provisions outlined in the Lodging Tax Distribution Policy, grant-eligible activity applications received for the 2019 budget.

The organization’s revised request is for funds to produce an extended Backstage Block Party concert event all day on one day, opposed to two concerts this summer. In the past Raise the Roof produced a two or three outdoor concert series during the summer months. Previously, the Sidney Lodging Tax Committee approved funding for the series up to $5,000 per concert.

Raise the Roof for the Arts Executive Director Ian Hinz and board member John Coffield explained to the committee the extended one-day event would begin at noon with family oriented activities and have performers throughout the day and a headliner band in the evening. Hinz said this year’s event will last twice as long as any previously held Backstage Party concert. The all-day event will incure more costs, and is why they are asking for $10,000 instead of $5,000 for one event.

Committee member Darryl Thurber said he didn’t want the $10,000 request for one event to become the standard in the future. He said he didn’t have a problem with this request, but wanted to make it known.

Committee Chair Steve Wagner asked the committee if they had allocated $10,000 for a one-day event in the past. Some brief discussion then ensued about various events the committee is funding, from the Civil War Weekend to the city’s annual fire work display.

Wagner requested Raise the Roof For the Arts to submit in writing how their event will be changed, expanded and include a revised budget of how the money will be spent. Hinz and Coffield agreed to submit a detailed, written request for the lodge tax funds.

No action was taken by the committee until the committee receives the requested information. When the information is obtained, the committee will hold a meeting to discuss the request further.