Organizers for this year’s Canada Day fireworks display will receive a little extra money from the town of Fort Frances.
They requested $5,000.
Council agreed to $2,000.
The money will come from council’s public relations account.
Councillor Mike Behan was okay with the unbudgeted expense.
“You see these unbudgeted expenses come up, and we do have some funds available, and the only reason I’d support it this time is because it’s for the broader community. Everybody’s going to benefit from this with the fireworks display,” says Behan.
Councillor Wendy Brunetta also supportive of offering a little extra but expressed concern with the timing of the requeste.
“I’m a bit concerned that this has come to us when the fireworks are like next week. I would assume that they’ve already been purchased for the event next week. So, I would like to ensure that this goes to the budget process next year,” says Brunetta.
The town now allocates $7,500, an amount that has remained unchanged for several years while the cost of lighting off the fireworks has more than doubled in the past 20 years.
In seeking additional money for this year, organizers have asked council consider a higher amount in future years.
Council did agree to discuss the issue future in their 2025 budget talks.
