The St. Augustine City Commission on Monday rebuffed calls from local business leaders to extend Nights of Lights deeper into January, citing logistical, financial and community-impact concerns.
Business owners and tourism officials argued the additional two weeks could help offset lower-than-expected seasonal sales and support staff during a slower winter period.
Several prominent figures backed the extension, including local businessman Irving Kass, St. Johns County tourism chief Susan Phillips and County Commissioner Ann Taylor.
Supporters framed the proposal as a short-term measure to help merchants who say they are facing a weaker season amid rising operating costs.
The upcoming festival is scheduled to run through Jan. 11, instead of extending through the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend as in past years.
Kass urged commissioners to act quickly, arguing the change could help merchants retain employees through a sluggish month.
“With one action you can stabilize January, protect jobs, reduce layoffs and give small businesses a chance to keep their teams employed,” Kass said.
He added that owners are grappling with higher insurance premiums and increased expenses.
Phillips said the request was not intended to prioritize tourism over residents who have expressed concerns about congestion and other disruptions associated with the event.
“Our goal is simply to strengthen the quality of life, supporting a balanced, resilient local economy,” she said.
Taylor also spoke in favor of an extension.
“We’ve heard from a number of business owners that this year unfortunately has not gone as planned,” she said. “A lot of them are struggling. On behalf of so many employees and their families that depend on this time of year to really help pay their bills, especially at holiday time, I would love to ask for your consideration of an extension.”
City Manager David Birchim noted significant logistical challenges with a potential extension, including service contracts that are set to end and uncertainties related to additional costs and staffing.
“If we did extend Nights of Lights for two weeks, it’s possible we wouldn’t be able to provide the same level of service to our visitors that we are providing now,” Birchim said.
While Commissioner Cynthia Garris supported consideration of the idea, the remaining four commissioners were opposed, effectively making it a nonstarter.
Commissioner Jon DePreter said the city had already set expectations with residents and businesses regarding the event’s schedule.
“We made an arrangement with our community, and I’m not going to go back on that now,” he said. “For logistical reasons but also as a matter of trust that we told our residents and our businesses this was it.”
Commissioner Jim Springfield said elongating the event — and the additional costs associated with it — would shift the financial burden to taxpayers.
“We’re asking taxpayers to supplement businesses,” he said. “We’re asking them to ask the government to bail them out. I’m not in favor of that.”
Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline agreed, saying the current schedule reflects residents’ concerns about traffic, congestion and other quality-of-life issues.
Sikes said the panel had made a “promise” to residents, one she did not want to break.
“I didn’t hear anyone stepping up to offer to pay for the additional costs of carrying those extra two weeks,” she said. “So therefore I do not see that as going to happen. Whatsoever.”
