For Immediate Release: November 19, 2024
The City of Beaumont entered a five-year contract with Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Inc., which expired on September 13, 2024. Over the course of this agreement, the City dedicated significant resources, including thousands of working hours and substantial financial investment/lost revenue of over $500,000 to support the event’s success Downtown. Nearly every City department contributed to the planning and execution phases, focusing on protecting city assets, maintaining public safety, and most importantly ensuring the health and well-being of event attendees.
Following the festival in 2024, the City fully intended to negotiate a new agreement. However, progress on negotiations was stalled due to past-due payments from Mardi Gras, resulting in a breach of the existing contract. To negotiate in good faith, the City expressed to the organization that negotiations were contingent upon Mardi Gras addressing its outstanding balance. While the organization worked to resolve this issue, the City met with them to understand their requests for the new agreement.
In a meeting, Mardi Gras requested a reduction in police personnel, ability to use outside agencies and private companies to provide security, ability to use all city facilities within the grounds and outside the grounds at no cost, use of the Civic Center for their Aurora Grand Ball fundraiser at no cost, and other items that were either cost prohibitive, unbudgeted capital expenses, or would require change in City policy.
The outstanding balance was paid on August 30, 2024. The City provided the first draft of a new agreement on September 4, 2024. Subsequent discussions led to adjustments that reduced the Mardi Gras organization’s financial commitment while increasing the City’s investment. However, the City did not compromise on the safety of the community and affirmed that security personnel levels would continue to be determined by the City.
The City expressed during negotiations and within the agreement language that the planning must begin by November 1 to host a safe and successful event. The City requested confirmation of the Mardi Gras organization’s intent to proceed by October 21, 2024. On November 8, 2024, Mardi Gras informed the City they would not move forward with the agreement.
The City values the opportunity to host Mardi Gras events and remains dedicated to ensuring they are safe for all attendees. While the outcome of these negotiations was not what we had hoped, the City remains committed to supporting Downtown events and the community they serve. As part of this commitment, the City prioritizes being a good steward of public funds, ensuring resources are allocated responsibly and in the best interest of our residents but this should not be done at the expense of compromising safety.