by April 12, 2024 6:56 p.m.
BUCYRUS, Ohio (CRAWFORD COUNTY) — The Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival is at a crossroads today as the deadline to submit financial records to the Bucyrus City Council Finance Committee has passed. This comes amid a growing movement within Congress to reassess the financial support provided to festivals.
Since 2018, the city council has provided festivals with essential services such as safety forces and rubbish removal free of charge. But Finance Committee Chairwoman Vicki Dishon is leading a campaign to repeal the ordinance that established the agreement. Mr Dishon said the city council was frustrated by the festival's persistent refusal to disclose its financial records since it was first requested to do so in February. It is requested that it be reviewed every year.
City Council President Kurt Fankhauser expressed concerns about directing funds to the festival, especially in light of the ongoing community efforts to collect donations for the maintenance of local pools.
The Council's determination to investigate the festival's finances is clear and plans are underway to send a certificate of financial transparency to the Council's legal representatives.
The official letter, dated April 5, 2024, was sent by certified mail to Kevin Myers, the festival's legal representative at the festival office.
Crawford County Now's attempts to contact City Council Clerk Miranda Wise and Bratwurst Festival Director Kevin Myers were unsuccessful.
The Bucyrus City Council Finance Committee will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, April 18th to discuss next steps.
