The City Council approved a $50,000 appropriation to support capital needs for the National Folk Festival, after the administration and legal counsel moved an amendment clarifying how the funds will be used.

Peter Tawelson, the interim chief administrative officer, told the council festival organizers would visit the administration next week to brief staff and council members. "They will spend the week with the administration and we'll be able to better brief you at the next meeting," Tawelson said. He said the organizers and the city previously agreed to a multi‑year commitment and that the city had pledged to help underwrite the event.

During debate, several council members questioned language in the original order that appeared to give funds directly to the National Council for the Traditional Arts. Legal staff explained the amended language will keep purchases as city procurements and specified that the city would keep ownership of capital items purchased with the funds. State Attorney Martin told the council the amendment reflected conversations with the festival's executive director and that "the city will actually be purchasing these items ... and the equipment the city will maintain ownership of."

Why it matters: The festival is a multi‑day cultural event planned for downtown Jackson in November; city officials said the event could draw tens of thousands of visitors and serve as an economic and tourism development tool. The council noted that the city previously committed funding in 2024 and that additional fundraising had been expected.

Vote and next steps: Councilman Foote moved to amend the order's title to align it with the substance of the amended order; the amendment passed on a 5‑2 vote. The amended order then passed 7‑0. Administration said it would circulate a fuller briefing after organizers meet with city staff next week and would provide an expected performer list and a timeline for expenditures before the next council meeting.