The Madison Board of Estimates approved a resolution to amend the 2010 operating budgets of several city divisions to accommodate funding for Freakfest Monday.
The approval authorizes the city to appropriate $35,690 from the Contingent Reserve Fund for costs associated with Freakfest. The Madison Police Department, Engineering Division, Streets Division and Parks Division will receive these funds to help run the Halloween celebration.
The funds will allow the city to spend money on several necessary features associated with the event such as security services, equipment rental and portable toilets.
According to the resolution, in 2009 the budget of approximately $48,000 was recovered through a revenue sharing agreement with Freakfest entertainment coordinator Frank Productions, Inc., via ticket sales and sponsorship funds. The city plans to once again collect these funds to cover the costs of Freakfest.
""I don't think it's out of the question that we could break even on this budget,"" Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said.
The city's costs associated with Freakfest have reduced significantly since 2007. Madison budgeted about $82,000 for Freakfest in 2007, almost $47,000 more than the funds allotted for 2010.
""The event is almost on auto-pilot and it has become extremely routine,"" Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. ""The price tag that the city is spending on it is being reduced every year.""
Nonetheless, this also makes it difficult to accurately budget for these costs, according to the resolution. This also has to do with the fluctuation of attendance, which alters the amount of police needed at the event. For this year's Freakfest there is a total of $23,000 budgeted for security services.
""Over the years we have had fewer problems involving riots, vandalism and fires,"" Verveer said. ""With fewer problems, we ultimately need fewer police.""
Verveer said stadium lighting trucks and the cost of renting out the University Inn for out-of-town police and state troopers will not be included in this year's Freakfest budget.
""Eliminating both the stadium lighting and the renting of University Inn are examples of how safe this event has become,"" Verveer said.
