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City of Blythe
2025-2026 Budget Amendments
Account Detail
April 14, 2026
FY 2025-2026 FY 2025-2026
Adopted Proposed Increase /
G/L# Account Description Category Budget Amendment (Decrease) Risk Management Fund
Transfers
507-00-391-025 Transfer in General Fund Operating Transfers 800,000 705,000 195,000) Net Decrease in Transfers In 800,000 705,000 (95,000)
Hydrocarbon Cleanup Trust
Revenue
610-00-334-028 Plume #6 State Grant 62,875 62,875
Net Increase in Revenues : 62,875 62,875
Expenditure
610-00-419-62-452-027 Plume #6 Property Services : 62,875 62,875 Net Increase in Expenditures 62,875 62,875
Recreation Fund
Revenue
630-80-341-040 School Program Fees General Government 175,000 200,000 25,000 Net Increase in Revenues 175,000 200,000 25,000
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TORTINS FIRST
CITY OF BLYTHE
Blythe CITY COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 14, 2026
SUBJECT: Desert Rodeo Sponsorship
PRESENTED BY: Summer Spraggins, Council Member
PREPARED BY: Mallory Crecelius, Interim City Manager
Brittany E. Roberto, City Attorney
RECOMMENDATION: Council provide direction to staff on purchasing a sponsorship for the Desert Rodeo, which will be held April 24-26, 2026 in Thermal, California. If Council elects to move forward with a sponsorship, it is recommended that Council make the finding outlined in the staff report and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement memorializing the sponsorship, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is not a budget for City sponsorships or donations in the adopted FY 2025/26 Operating and Capital Budget, but if Council selects one of the options identified in the staff report, the cost can be absorbed in the General Fund.
BACKGROUND: The second Desert Rodeo will be held in Thermal, California from April 24- 26, 2026. Following the first Desert Rodeo in 2025, event organizers and representatives for the Colorado River Fair have had preliminary discussions regarding establishing a Blythe Rodeo at the Colorado River Fairgrounds in February 2027.
In connection with the potential establishment of a Blythe Rodeo, event organizers asked the City of Blythe to purchase a sponsorship for this year's Desert Rodeo.
For its first event in 2025, Desert Rodeo boasted 10,000 weekend attendees from 34 states with over 720 million media impressions and over 5 million social media impressions. Sixty-two percent of Desert Rodeo attendees were between 18 and 34 years old, likely due to the fact that the Rodeo is held the same weekend as the Stagecoach Music Festival.
STAFF REPORT: Council Member Spraggins asked to place this item on the Agenda to discuss purchasing a sponsorship for the Desert Rodeo.
Event sponsorship packages generally range from $1,500 to $20,000. The following are options for the Council's consideration:
1. Fence Sign Sponsorship. A $1,500 sponsorship for the City's logo to be placed on a 4'x8' fence in a high foot traffic area and two (2) General Admission day passes.
2. Arena Sign Sponsorship. A $2,500 sponsorship for a 4'x10' rodeo arena sign with visibility for all three rodeo performances, inclusion of the City's logo on Desert Rodeo's Partners website page and four (4) General Admission day passes.
3. Flag Run Sponsorship. A $5,000 sponsorship for the City's logo on a dedicated flag run by a cowgirl on horseback during each rodeo performance, verbal recognition by the rodeo announcer, inclusion of the City's logo on Desert Rodeo's Partners website page and four (4) General Admission day passes.
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If the City purchases a sponsorship, event organizers have represented that they will also provide discounted tickets for Blythe residents for the 2026 Desert Rodeo as follows:
• 0-100 tickets: 20% off (based on $75 retail)
• 101+ tickets: 25% off
Event organizers have represented that if the City purchases a sponsorship, the City's signs will indicate that the Blythe Rodeo is coming in 2027.
The California Constitution prohibits the City from making a gift of public funds. However, the prohibition does not preclude expenditures and disbursements for public purposes even if a private person incidentally benefits.
A Blythe Rodeo would create a local event featuring entertainment and community engagement.
A Blythe Rodeo would also attract visitors who would patronize local businesses and stay at local accommodations. If the City purchases a sponsorship for the 2026 Desert Rodeo, the City will be able to advertise the Blythe Rodeo and attract more interest in and increase attendance at the Blythe Rodeo, which would provide a benefit for the City.
Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council provide direction on purchasing a sponsorship for the 2026 Desert Rodeo. If the Council elects to move forward with a sponsorship, it is recommended that the Council:
1. Find that purchasing a sponsorship for the 2026 Desert Rodeo serves a public purpose of advertising the Blythe Rodeo.
2. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement memorializing the sponsorship, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
ATTACHMENTS: None
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REPORTS
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JOE WINE BLYTHE RECREATION CENTER PRESENTS A
Daughter
DINNER & DANCE
SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH 2026
6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
127 S. MAIN ST
$25 presale: $30 door price
$5 each additional child
PRICE INCLUDES ONE ADULT AND TWO CHILDREN
SPAGHETTI DINNER, DANCING & LOADS OF FUN
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JOE WINE BLYTHE RECREATION CENTER PRESENTS A
SON
DINNER & DANCE
SATURDAY, MAY 16™# 2026
6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
127 S. MAIN ST
$25 presale • $30 door price
$5 each additional child
PRICE INCLUDES ONE ADULT AND UP TO TWO CHILDREN
SPAGHETTI DINNER, DANCING & LOADS OF FUN
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PUBLIC
COMMENT
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ADJOURN
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