The Ypsilanti Heritage Festival made a plea to City Council Tuesday night to put a cap on the special event fees the city charges it.
David Nickerson is Chair of the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival Board of Trustees. He told council those fees represent 18 percent of festival expenses.
Nickerson requested that the city cap fees charged the festival at between $18,000 and $20,000. Nickerson estimates next year's fees at between $25,000 and $28,000 otherwise.
Mayor Paul Schreiber said he'd like to see the city make a contribution to the festival as a sponsor rather than just cap fees.
Council member Daniel Vogt said the city can't afford to subisidise the Heritage Festival unless the city can break even, perhaps by helping the festival find other areas in which to make cuts.
City staff will study the issue and come back to council with a recommendation at a later date.