It's welcome news to those planning festivals and events in Sarnia.
City council has unanimously approved a one-year pilot program to subsidize 50 per cent of the fees for service for non-profits, community groups and organizations without a revenue source.
Councillor Brian Whites said he thinks it's a good start.
"I think it's a good idea to invest in our community, invest in the people who choose to invest in our community and invest in those opportunities," said White.
Councillor Nathan Colquhoun, who has helped organize Artwalk and the Festival of Good Things, proposed the city "absorb" 100 per cent of the fees, but his amendment was defeated.
"In running many events in this city, one of the most deflating things was going through your budget and then seeing it increase by 30 or 40 per cent so that we could cover city fees," Colquhoun said.
The major events assistance fund will be increased to $50,000 to offset costs.
Festivals and events that are not free to the public will be considered individually, and staff have been directed to develop a new policy for entertainment and events using indoor facilities.
Staff will report back to council on the changes at the 2020 budget deliberations.
