Don Smiley Making The Big Bucks

Published Dec. 10, 2009 at 6:44 p.m.

Check out that last sentence.   Smiley racks in $280,000 a year.   Not to shabby for running an eleven day circus.    I have to assume that the hole in one island is used to pay his salary.   In other news Mmathau will now be able to pick up young boys until 2030 as the lease has been extended until then.

Summerfest lease extension advances

By Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Dec. 10, 2009 10:58 a.m.

A deal that extends Summerfest's lease for the Henry Maier Festival Grounds through 2030 advanced with unanimous support Thursday from both the City Harbor Commission and the Milwaukee World Festivals Inc. Board of Directors.

The extension adds 10 years to the current lease deal and gives Summerfest the long-term assurance it sought before moving ahead with a large-scale renovation on the south end of the lakefront property. As part of the extension agreement, the city will collect a six-figure fee from Summerfest for the police and fire services provided for the 11-day festival.

Milwaukee World Festivals Inc. will add that fee to the annual rent it pays the city - roughly $1.2 million in 2009 and increasing 3% annually.

The Milwaukee Common Council is expected to give the lease deal final approval this month.

Looking toward the upcoming renovations, the Summerfest board on Thursday approved a budget for 2010 that adds $2.7 million to the nonprofit corporation's reserve for capital projects. With another successful year in attendance and concession sales, Summerfest expects to have $16.3 million on hand for improvements at the end of 2010.

The goal is to have $25 million in the capital account by 2015.

Four architectural firms have met with Summerfest officials to discuss plans for the renovations, but no date has been set for the start of the construction.

Despite a decrease in corporate ticket sales and the difficult economy, Summerfest showed a profit of nearly $750,000 in 2009 and added $4.1 million total to its reserves.

For 2010, the festival will keep its ticket prices the same as in 2009 - $15 at the gate - but will take a look at possibly raising beer prices. That decision will be made in the spring.

As a cost-saving measure, the board kept the salaries for Summerfest staff at the 2009 level, including $279,849 for President and CEO Don Smiley.

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