Tyrone council members may have moved a step closer to determining the fate of next year’s Founders Day celebration. In discussions Thursday, the council heard a suggestion from Founders Day co-organizer and Tyrone Depot owner Chip Young that the town consider making the event a non-profit corporation. Prior discussions on the matter included the potential for the town no longer having the annual event. The discussion Thursday for intended for information purposes only.

“We could make it a non-profit so that contributions are tax deductible. We wouldn’t have to pay salaries and we could get more volunteers. We can make money and help fund (portions of) other events during the year,” Young said, citing examples such as Halloween, Christmas and the Easter Egg Hunt activities. “I’ve been with this for about 15 years and I’d like to see it continue.”

The council moments earlier heard a report showing the final tabulation for Founders Day 2008 with gross revenues of $31,539.80 and expenses of $28,904.60, for a net profit of $2,635.20.

Young said creating a non-profit and securing the services of an even larger number of volunteers to make it an all-volunteer effort would take some of the load off the town’s recreation department and would pay for expenses such as police services. He suggested that, if such a move were instituted, the town’s governing body should maintain fiscal oversight. Asked about such a move, Town Attorney Dennis Davenport said that it would be the same concept that applies to the Tyrone Youth Baseball Association.

A resolution will have to be made in coming months. If the council decides to keep the event and if the non-profit suggestion is approved,  a decision will have to be made on how to structure any participation between the town and the non-profit such as accounting issues for compensating police for their services during the event.

Regardless what entity has ultimate responsibility for Founders Day, Young said he believed the annual event is one that should continue.

Mayor Don Rehwaldt said the council would consider the suggestion.

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