Triple Play Concert Revenue: Where Does the Money Go?

The most successful Triple Play Concert Series in New Lenox sold out the final two shows this year, Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon, with all 5,000 tickets gone.

That accounted for about $260,000 of revenue for the village, not counting beer sales and sponsorships. But how does the village spend that money?

"The goal is to sell enough tickets to cover all the expenses in this fiscal year’s budget," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. "And to keep the ticket prices low and where they're at now."

Mission accomplished. Tickets were available for a couple months to New Lenox residents only for $50, and then went on sale to anyone for $60. The price of a ticket provided access to all three shows: Starship, Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon.

In the village's 2011-12 budget, one goal listed is to provide non-tax based revenue to accomplish community benefit activities throughout the village. That's where the Triple Play Concert Series really comes into play.

Baldermann said the village brought in about $260,000 from ticket sales and another $92,000 from beer/wine sales. Additional money comes in through sponsorships and an annual golf outing.

In the 2011-12 budget, the village lists $402,320 of expenditures for "community benefit" items, including the concert series, Fourth of July, Kids Fest and all the summer events on the such as movie nights and Sunday concerts.

The goal is for revenue from the Triple Play Concert Series (non-tax based revenue) to pay for other various community events so that residents don't have to pay for it.

Here's a deeper breakdown of what the Triple Play revenue goes toward:

Personnel expenses: $72,170

• $13,300 in part-time costs: Emergency Services for July 4, Triple Play and Farmers Market
• $58,870 in overtime pay: The streets department and .

Contractual agreements: $318,300

• $267,560 for Triple Play concerts: $146,250 for band fees; $22,400 for light/sound; $7,500 for RV rentals; $75 for a village liquor license; $3,000 for security; $23,500 for wine/beer for resale cost; $10,800 for porta-potties; $9,000 for band lodging; $11,300 for equipment rental; $3,300 for band meals; $6,850 for radio advertising; $2,670 for supplies/rentals; $7,500 for volunteers; and $13,915 for liquor/weather insurance.

• $36,640 for other Commons events ($4,620 for movie nights; $3,200 for the community band; $5,000 for Sunday night concerts; $1,800 for wine & jazz; $1,925 for Christmas in the Commons; $2,525 for Kids Fest; and $16,970 for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

• $14,100 for July 4 activities ($2,800 for live entertainment; $10,000 for fireworks; and $1,300 for porta-potties)

Capital outlay: $11,850 (various community improvements)

Baldermann said he's already talking to some bands about playing the 2012 concert series and would likely stick with '70s rock bands. REO Speedwagon was so popular with residents that many have called the mayor to request an encore.

"People seem to like that," he said. "And this is the first time people have said they want a band back."

He said the village could try to add a country show the night before one of the larger concerts or possibly make one of the three shows a country headliner. He's also discussing a possible winter concert at that would feature a national recording act.

Read and watch more coverage of the 2011 Triple Play Concert Series.