OXNARD : Strawberry Festival May Be Privatized
The Oxnard City Council will consider a proposal Tuesday to privatize the annual California Strawberry Festival, one of the city’s largest events.
The proposal would allow the city’s festival committee, which has organized the two-day event for several years, to form a private nonprofit corporation.
City staff members have recommended that the council approve the measure and appropriate $600,000 for production and operation of the festival, a staff report said.
For each of the past five years, the festival has generated more than $500,000 for the city, officials said.
Additionally, the council will decide whether to authorize a management services contract with Bill Garlock to manage the city’s Special Events and Festivals Program, including the 1995 and 1996 festivals. If approved, Garlock would receive $146,350 plus incentives, a staff report said.
Garlock has managed the festival for eight years.
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