South Bruce Peninsula council is going to stand behind the Wiarton Willie Festival but several councillors have some concerns about the budgeting process of the event.
Festival officials, through the Chamber of Commerce, were asking for 10 thousand dollars cash from the municipality even though their current balance sheet shows a surplus of over 76 hundred dollars.
Councillor Marilyn Bowman couldn’t understand why the extra cash was need and if it was at all, perhaps the municipality should make up the difference to the surplus equals 10 thousand dollars.
Mayor John Close says in the end it was decided that council would provide a 10 thousand dollar safety net if the money was needed and could be justified by Festival officials.
Meanwhile, Councillor Jay Kirkland questioned the budget process of the event this year and Mayor Close says during municipal budget sessions later this year, the Wiarton Willie Festival budget for next year will be decided.
Close says right now the budget process is flawed and needs to be corrected.
According to a balance sheet provided by the Chamber of Commerce, revenues of over 83 thousand dollars are expected this year against expenses of 76 thousand.
Festival Chair Matt Standen, who also happens to be a South Bruce Peninsula councillor, says the festival welcomes the safety net monetary offer if needed.
Festival officials are preparing to hold their kick off news conference on this year’s event where it will be announced that Rick Mercer, of the Mercer Report TV program will be on hand to be part of the Groundhog Day celebration.
