The Fishers City Board of Public Works and Safety approved an agreement with the Fishers Freedom Festival, providing $85,000 in cash support for the 2017 event.  In addition to the cash, the city also provides “in-kind” support in the form of public safety, public works and other support from city departments during the summer celebration.

The Fishers City Council approved the $85,000 funding as part of the 2017 city spending plan.  This agreement implements the support.  The cash amount is the same as provided by the city in 2016.

Mayor Scott Fadness told the board the city is looking at how to evaluate support of nonprofit organizations from city coffers.  Fishers spends roughly $300,000 cash per year supporting local nonprofits, such as Conner Prairie and the Freedom Festival.

The city council is establishing a structure to evaluate requests for financial support from nonprofit organizations, beginning with the 2018 budget process.  In the meantime, the board approved the agreement with the Freedom Festival to fund it at the same level as 2016.

“This contract is a new concept,” Fadness said.  “(Nonprofit groups) will have to sign these contracts prior to the City of Fishers releasing any funds going forward.”

You can read the contract at this link.

The board also approved a contract with Attorney Jennifer Messer to provide legal services to the city.  The contract calls for Messer Law to be paid a $20,000 per month retainer by the city.  The full language of the contract is available at this link.