Meridian City Council members disagreed over the amount of money the city should be contributing to the annual Juneteenth festival, hosted this year for the first time by the city rather than a separate committee. 

Community Development, which is overseeing the June 16 celebration, originally requested $10,000 from the council but reduced that amount to $5,000.

Because of concerns about securing entertainment, however, council members Kim Houston and Tyrone Johnson approved amending the line item to $7,000.

Council members George Thomas, Fannie Johnson and Weston Lindemann all voted against the $7,000 increase.

Fannie Johnson, who represents Ward 3, said she couldn’t understand why musical acts were asking for so much money to perform and wondered if the city could find a more affordable alternative.

“We could hire another employee for Public Works,” Fannie Johnson said. “It’s not in the spirit of Juneteenth as I know it.”

George Thomas, who represents Ward 1, said he didn’t want the city to attempt to cut hours at the Meridian Activity Center again in a few months citing budget concerns.

“Juneteenth is a very important day,” Thomas said, questioning why the city had shouldered costs such as t-shirt production.

“We’re going to have a great event we just need to know how much you will contribute,” Meridian Mayor Percy Bland told the council.

Bland said the celebrations budget was around $20,000 last year and the city contributed $13,500 to the festival committee.

Houston said she worried that if the city didn’t host a good festival this year then people wouldn’t come to future events.

“It gives people a reason to come into Meridian and spend money and celebrate,” Houston said. 

Tyrone Johnson indicated that he would even support giving the Juneteenth festival $10,000. 

With only Tyrone Johnson and Houston supporting a $7,000 funds transfer to the Juneteenth festival, the motion didn’t pass. Houston asked to re-amend the agenda to $5,000, which only Thomas voted against. 

“This is a celebration of African-American heritage,” Houston said. “I feel like we need to contribute something.”

Eight prominent musicians will be performing at a cost of $3,000 to $600 each in addition to local artists, whose pay was not discussed. Artists include iHeart Memphis, of ‘Hit the Quan’ fame, Yung Vokalz & The Movement, Nathaniel Kimble, Moe D and more.

“I think this will be one of the best Juneteenths that the city has ever seen,” Terrence Davis, who secured entertainment for the city, said. 

The festival is scheduled from noon until midnight on June 16 at the City Hall lawn.