Lakeland officials are enquiring to see if they can save taxpayers money by hiring a management company to operate RP Funding Center.
The city has put out a Request for Proposals seeking an independent contractor to run the municipal-owned entertainment complex. The bid specifies those applying should have experience in the arena, theater, and convention facility management. All sealed bids are being accepted through 2 p.m. June 10.
The city’s notice indicates that any company considering running the facility should be prepared to “furnish all management, supervisor, labor and any or all other services.”
City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said the commissioners elected to seek a management company to run the day-to-day operations over a consulting management firm.
RP Funding Center Director Tony Camarillo said he’s had time to come to terms with the city’s consideration of hiring an outside contractor since he first presented the center’s financial situation to city commissioners in February.
Mayor Bill Mutz said he wanted a financial plan that would bring the city’s subsidy of the RP Funding Center down to around $1 million to $1.5 million annually. The mayor instructed Camarillo to revise it to be as “drastic as necessary.”
Camarillo said he continues to work on refining the center’s annual budget. The 2022 season has been “great,” Camarillo said but he’s continuing to see slightly smaller event attendance numbers coming out of COVID.