Cherokee County has approved a five-year agreement with Coca-Cola – the sole company to bid on a request for proposals – to continue providing beverages in county parks in exchange for a $15,000 a year sponsorship fee, up from $5,000 previously.
“This is a substantial increase in sponsorship over the previous contract, which recognizes the increase in sales from the aquatic center and the future addition of both Patriots and Cherokee Veterans Park,” according to a staff report. The county also will benefit from rebates on a number of beverages; free marketing items, such as menu boards and signage; and free dispensing equipment, such as vending machines.
Under the agreement approved Jan. 17 by the Board of Commissioners, the county will buy beverages exclusively from Coca-Cola Refreshments USA Inc., a Coca-Cola Co. subsidiary, and re-sell them to third-party concessionaries and volunteer youth groups; this, plus the sponsorship and rebates, “will generate significant revenue resulting in positive net income for the county,” staff said.
Besides paying the sponsorship fee, Coca-Cola will continue a $3 rebate per case on 20-ounce sparkling products, Powerade and Dasani; pay a new $2 rebate per case on 20-ounce Smartwater, Tum-E Yummies and Gold Peak Tea; provide 100 cases of free 12-ounce product per year, up from 50 cases previously; and supply $1,500 a year in Powerade coolers, water bottles and other promotional items.
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