Since the Town of Columbus organized a committee to organize the Fabulous Fourth festival, the town has made money instead of lost.
Columbus Town Council met Thursday, Aug. 16 and reviewed revenues and expenditures for the last two festivals.
In total, the 2011 and 2012 had $2,231 in revenues over expenditures. The 2012 festival had $4,560 in revenues under expenditures but a leftover of $6,791 from the 2011 festival was used to cover the overages.
Columbus decided two years ago to create a committee and conduct the festival through donations instead of town funding after realizing major costs of the festivals.
The 2010 festival was a loss for the town, with expenditures exceeding revenues by $19,279.
The 2009 festival cost even more money, with expenditures exceeding revenues by $26,900 and the 2008 festival was the most costly in the last few years, with expenditures exceeding revenues by $29,167, according to the town’s data.
Council members commended the committee for its work over the past couple of years organizing the festivals and saving the town money.
Columbus Mayor Eric McIntyre also thanked the Polk County Board of Commissioners for stepping up in 2011 to complete payments for the fireworks.
Festival committee chair Ernie Kan said people should realize that there are seven or eight people on the committee and they do all the work for the festival. She said the committee tried to work with the money they collected over the two-year period and it was people donating money the first year that carried over for the second year.
“We’re very appreciative of the job you do and your leadership,” McIntyre told Kan.
Kan announced later in the meeting that she will not chair the festival committee next year, although she will remain on the committee.
The 2012 Fabulous Fourth festival held downtown in July was the town’s 50th celebration.