The most newsworthy discussion centered around the selection of a logo for the Centennial celebration. Among five finalist designs, the “red, white, and blue stilt house with the dolphin and manatee emboss in the background” received the highest number of votes, totaling 104. The committee debated whether to send all five logos to the council for consideration or just the top three, ultimately deciding to forward all results with a recommendation for the highest-voted logo. This decision was unanimous.

In addition to the logo selection, the committee discussed recognizing the children who submitted logo designs by possibly creating t-shirts or an art display. This idea drew comparisons to Newport Richey, where various logos were printed on t-shirts for sale.

Following the logo discussion, the committee shifted its focus to finalizing events for the Centennial celebration. An email suggestion from Claudia Smith proposed a historical photograph display of Port Richey, which was met with enthusiasm. Additionally, the idea of hosting a mock council meeting to educate citizens about local government drew mixed reactions, with concerns about public engagement and clarity in messaging.

The committee emphasized the necessity of a structured timeline for event planning and execution, given the limited time before the February celebration. A working meeting was scheduled to consolidate ideas and ensure a comprehensive list of planned events. Urgency was a recurring theme, with members acknowledging the need to finalize plans quickly to foster public engagement and excitement.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of effective communication and organization within the planning committee. There was a collective understanding that while volunteer involvement is valuable, relying heavily on volunteers without proper structure might not yield the desired outcomes for the community.

Financial considerations were a critical aspect of the discussions. The potential costs of events like the fishing tournament and food truck rallies were scrutinized, with concerns about the city’s limited budget. One participant noted that the fishing tournament alone could cost $8,000, emphasizing the financial strain such events could impose. The need for police presence, cleanup, and potential overtime for staff were additional expenses that required careful management.

The possibility of combining events to reduce overall costs was discussed. For instance, merging a food truck night with a car show was proposed to enhance attendance and manage expenses more effectively. The logistics of hosting food truck events, including necessary inspections and compliance with local codes, were also considered.

Sponsorships emerged as a vital component for funding these events. The idea of creating a sponsorship package, including title sponsorships, was proposed to streamline the process and clarify the city’s needs to potential sponsors.

Another discussion point was the potential collaboration with existing community events. For example, it was suggested to remove the Easter egg hunt from the Centennial event list to avoid competing with an established event hosted by the Light of the World Tabernacle. Instead, promoting and amplifying the Tabernacle’s event was seen as a more community-oriented approach.

The council also addressed logistical concerns related to each event, including the involvement of city departments like police, fire, and EMS. The need for a centralized location for fishing activities and the implications of holding events on city property, which require reporting to the state if they generate revenue, were highlighted.