OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The National Circuit Finals Rodeo drew thousands of people to Osceola County’s Silver Spurs arena last month, but some are questioning why the county handed out nearly $200,000 in spending cash for rodeo contestants.
The county said it was just for business.
Poll: Do you agree with the county's decision to give contestants a stipend?
It was written up in two separate contracts: one for men and one for women.
The total in contestant stipends for men was $168,000.
Stephanie Camacho brought her children to one of the special events surrounding last month’s rodeo.
“The kids have a great old time. That place gets so packed,” Camacho said.
Recently, a county employee contacted Channel 9 expressing outrage after he learned about cash payouts to cowboys and cowgirls for spending money.
Records show on top of more than half a million dollars in purse and entry money, the county paid each of the contestants a $1,000 cash stipend.
It adds up to $192,000.
The county pointed out the money came from tourist development taxes, which means it had to be spent promoting tourism and could not have been spent on employee salaries.
It said the cash was meant to help cover expenses for contestants’ families and their animals while in town, and encouraged them to spend it all at local businesses.
While some question whether it was the right way to spend nearly $200,000, some said they’re OK with it if the event brings more people into the community.
“Where it is bringing a lot more dollars into the community, then I would say it’s a worthy investment,” said resident Donna Patterson.
One rodeo sponsor posted on a website that it’s the first time contestants in the event would get a $1,000 stipend.