At the Durbin Town Council meeting March 12, new Durbin Days Heritage Festival Pageants directors Sherry Cassell and Melissa Nelson requested monetary assistance to prepare for the pageants.

Cassell asked council to consider starting a separate fund for the pageants in order to access funds directly. In previous years, the pageant money was put together with all Durbin Days funding.

With a separate checking account, Cassell said it would be easier to hold fundraisers and deposit funds as they are raised.

Nelson also requested a donation of $500 from council as start-up funding for the pageants. She explained that she has started several fundraising ventures and needs money to purchase supplies.

Mayor and DDHF director Donald Peck said the town could close the Bingo account of $486.81 which is not earmarked for use, and donate it to the pageant fund.

Nelson said the pageant will return the money once the fundraising is finished.

Recorder John Osborne asked Nelson and Cassell to submit a written request to council.

Nelson said she could write up the request, but needs the money before the next meeting.

Councilmember Mike Vance said council could go ahead and close the Bingo account to put the money into a new pageant account prior to receiving the written request, and the council approved the move.

In regards to DDHF, Peck added that the festival did not receive funding from Dramas, Fairs and Festivals this year. In order to make up for the deficit, Peck said he had to increase the vendor rental fees. Food vendors with electricity will now pay $175, non-profit food vendors $150, non-food vendors $150 and vendors without power $130.

In update:

• Peck reported that the garbage and maintenance fee is increasing: Garbage is going from $8.50 to $10 a month and maintenance will go from $2.75 to $5 a month. The last increase was in 2005.

• Council approved to send letters to owners of condemned properties. The letter will give the owners 30 days to respond and inform council what will be done with the properties.

• Council approved a freeze on all raises for this fiscal year. Peck explained that several years ago, council approved to include a three percent raise per year in the budget. This year, the budget did not have room for raises and council agreed to hold off on raises for town employees, councilmembers, mayor and recorder until the budget improves.

Durbin Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.

Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com