Trustees in the Village of East Troy on Dec. 1 discussed whether a $10,000 allocation in the 2026 budget should remain tied to the Lions Club or be repurposed to support a separate Fourth of July event. President Johnson said the $10,000 has historically supported fireworks, and several trustees noted the Lions Club expects the village funding.

"I think the Lions Club is expecting the money," a trustee said, urging the board to leave the budget as adopted. Other trustees stressed the village prefers the funding support fireworks or parade activity rather than broader festival expenses.

Board members also noted logistical challenges: organizing an independent Fourth of July event at short notice would require a committed lead organizer and additional fundraising. No motion was required because the board did not amend the budget; trustees agreed to retain the allocation as currently budgeted and to continue discussions if a formal alternative proposal is filed.

The village will ask Lions Club organizers to acknowledge public sponsorship in event promotion, following the board’s request to make sponsorship visible. Trustees said they would revisit the decision for future budgets if a different multi‑year arrangement is proposed.