Although attendance numbers for the pair of concerts didn't meet the expectations of Corn Palace Director Doug Greenway, ridership and revenue from food sales increased from last year's amount.
“The joke I made was if Taylor Swift came to town in the summer, we couldn’t hold a concert at the Corn Palace,” said council member Tim Goldammer, who voted against the new gift shop contract.
While the drawdown structure is a vital part of the city's proposed dredging project, officials say it's also important for maintaining the Firesteel Creek wetland improvements planned for 2024.
The Friends of Firesteel organization offered to donate the funds for the city to hold the election if it were set for November, but it wasn't enough to sway the council.