ROSWELL NEW MEXICO
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Item No. 26.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/12/2026
COMMITTEE:
Finance
CONTACT:
Tammi Smith
CHAIR:
Kurt Gass
ACTION REQUESTED:
Consider approval of MainStreet Roswell Sponsorship Agreement for the UFO Festival in the amount of $102,000 with $56,000 out of Lodgers' Tax and $46,000 out of the General Fund. (Gass/Conyers)
BACKGROUND:
Initiated by: TJ Conyers (Sponsored by Councilor Halvorson and Councilor Heldenbrand)
MainStreet Roswell has served as the organizing entity for the annual UFO Festival for 2 years, a signature community event that attracts visitors, generates economic impact, and promotes tourism for the City of Roswell.
Historically, the City of Roswell has supported MainStreet Roswell through sponsorship agreements to assist with event-related costs. In FY2024, the City awarded $60,000, of which $52,201.75 was expended. In FY2025, the City awarded $50,000, with $50,000 fully expended. These funds were used to support operational, marketing, and programming needs associated with the event.
The proposed sponsorship agreement in the amount of $102,000 reflects the budget proposal submitted by Executive Director of MainStreet Roswell, Barbara Gomez. The agreement is intended to support event production, infrastructure, marketing, and related costs to ensure successful execution of the 2026 UFO Festival.
MainStreet Roswell has served as the organizing entity for the annual UFO Festival for 2 years, a signature community event that attracts visitors, generates economic impact, and promotes tourism for the City of Roswell.
Historically, the City of Roswell has supported MainStreet Roswell through sponsorship agreements to assist with event-related costs. In FY2024, the City awarded $60,000, of which $52,201.75 was expended. In FY2025, the City awarded $50,000, with $50,000 fully expended. These funds were used to support operational, marketing, and programming needs associated with the event.
The proposed sponsorship agreement in the amount of $102,000 reflects the budget proposal submitted by Executive Director of MainStreet Roswell, Barbara Gomez. The agreement is intended to support event production, infrastructure, marketing, and related costs to ensure successful execution of the 2026 UFO Festival.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION
Financial Impact (Revenue & Expense): Budgeted - $56,000 / Budget Adjustment Needed - $46,000 out of General Fund
Expense: Budgeted 26224081-672828 (Public Relations-Special Events) — $56,000
Expense: Budgeted 26224081-672828 (Public Relations-Special Events) — $56,000
LEGAL REVIEW:
The Legal Department has reviewed the agreement for sufficiency.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE ACTION:
The Occupancy Tax board recommended (5-0) to award MainStreet Roswell for UFO Festival $20,000 for marketing and $20,000 in sponsorship at their July 22, 2025, meeting.
The Finance Committee recommended approval 4-0 to open negotiations with the City of Roswell for sponsorship at its meeting on January 8, 2026.
The City Council approved 10-0 to open negotiations with the City of Roswell for sponsorship at its meeting on January 16, 2026.
The Finance Committee recommended approval 4-1 to a $102,000 sponsorship at their February 3, 2026, meeting. Item was presented at Finance with America 250 Roswell funding request as one item. Following Hess Yntema’s recommendation, the items were bifurcated.
The Finance Committee recommended approval 4-0 to open negotiations with the City of Roswell for sponsorship at its meeting on January 8, 2026.
The City Council approved 10-0 to open negotiations with the City of Roswell for sponsorship at its meeting on January 16, 2026.
The Finance Committee recommended approval 4-1 to a $102,000 sponsorship at their February 3, 2026, meeting. Item was presented at Finance with America 250 Roswell funding request as one item. Following Hess Yntema’s recommendation, the items were bifurcated.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
No staff recommendation. Sponsored by Councilors Juliana Halvorson and Edward Heldenbrand.