At the Dec. 3 Fishers Town Council meeting, the councilors amended a request for approval of this year’s Fishers Freedom Festival yearly contribution, denying increased funding for the event.
On the table was a request for $100,000, a $15,000 increase from the typical monetary donation of $85,000. The council amended the request, keeping the donation at $85,000, the same amount that has been given for the past five years, as well as approximately $5,000 for running the Firefighter Combat Challenge this summer, according to Town Manager Scott Fadness.
Five of the six councilors voted for the amended request, with Fishers Town Council President Scott Faultless as the only dissenting vote – citing the fact that this year is the festival’s 25th anniversary.
According to a council action form completed by Deputy Town Manager Nathan George, the town donated $85,000 annually for the past five years. The festival requested an additional $15,000 this year alone.
George’s report further shows that from 2008 to 2012, the town contributed more than $100,000 to the festival each year, once other contributions – such as personnel, services and more – are totaled. This year, the town kicked in a total of $131,944.
In addition, the request also had provisions for holding the Firefighter Combat Challenge during the festival for three years.
Councilor Michael Colby delivered a statement on the matter, raising issues with the Fishers Freedom Festival concerning the council’s requests for more details, involvement for political candidates and the possible commitment to the combat challenge.
Colby said the council wanted a line item budget detailing Freedom Festival and combat challenge expenditures.
Fishers Freedom Festival Executive Director Jenifer Kehl said the council was giving the organization the opportunity to prepare a list of expenditures to be reviewed later to justify the extra money.
Kehl said she planned to have a list of costs to justify the additional funds by the end of year into the council.
She said the total donations from the town amount to 29 percent of the festival’s total cost.
“We welcome opinions and suggestions from everyone so we can keep it fresh,” Kehl said. “If they (the council) want to give their opinions and suggestions, we’re more than happy to take a look at what they’d like us to do.”
She said Fishers Freedom Festival can’t continue without the financial and moral support of the town.