The Budget, Finance & Governance Committee voted unanimously to authorize an intermunicipal agreement to provide $50,000 from the city to support promotion of the Lilac Festival in the first year of a five‑year promoter agreement.

Committee members were told the city sits on a board with Monroe County and Visit Rochester that forms Lilac Festival Inc., which runs a competitive selection of the festival promoter. "This year, LFI, the city sits on, a board with the county and visit Rochester, and that forms, lilac festival inc. That body picks the promoter for the lilac festival," said Kylie, a city staff member involved with special events. She said the promoter chosen through the RFP process has prior festival experience and is launching the work through a new company.

The administration described the city payment as a one‑time influx of funds to help the promoter launch in year one of a multi‑year arrangement; the committee was told the contract term is five years. Council members were also told the county will contribute additional money; during discussion a councilor noted the county contribution is larger and stated a figure of "150," which staff said they would verify for the record. The legislation submitted to council lists CGI as the title sponsor; staff said they would confirm whether that remains accurate.

Committee members asked for clarity on the sponsor, the prior promoter arrangement and the county contribution. Staff explained that a long‑time promoter, Jeff Springett, stepped away before the 2024 festival and that the current promoter handled vendors last year and will now manage the festival end‑to‑end. The committee approved the agreement by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The council will receive the amended introductory legislation for final action at the next full council meeting, with staff expected to provide written confirmation of the title sponsor and the county contribution amount.