The group that is putting on the Summer Sounds 2014 concert series asked council for a grant to cover expected shortfalls.
Louie Cupello and other volunteers were asking for $3,500 from council to help cover the shortfall and any unexpected expenses that may arise.
"We've come to ask for your help," Cupello told council on Monday, June 23. "We're experiencing a shortfall in what it takes to maintain the equipment and DJs."
He said they also try to compensate the live musicians for the show, as many are coming from out of town.
"We are a large group of volunteers, represented by three of us tonight. We represent the Cranbrook Arts Council in our endeavour," he said.
This is the first year the group, as it is now organized, has put on the Summer Sounds program, though it is not the first Summer Sounds.
This year, there will be 15 shows, each with a budget of $650, for a total of $9,750.
Two of those shows are Wednesday night Cranbrook Farmers' Market shows.
Music licensing and miscellaneous expenses add up to another $525. Financial sponsorship of $7,950 leaves them with $2,560 short. The group added extra in case of unexpected expenses to reach the $3,500.
Cupello said some changes to the organization this year caused a delay in the planning.
One of the ways the group said the city could help is by only charging a single fee on days when there is more than one event on, such as Summer Sounds and Dancing in the Park, which are both under the Cranbrook Arts Council umbrella.
"In essence we're charging both the Summer Sounds people and Dancing in the Park. It's all under the hospices of the Cranbrook Arts Council," said Mayor Wayne Stetski. "One fee could cover the entire day."
Council put forward a motion to grant $500 to Summer Sounds, to match the grant it gave to Dancing in the Park.
Stetski said in the past companies like Canfor and Teck were quite interested in supporting local initiatives like these.
"I'll give Canfor a call for you," Stetski said. "They've been very positive about things like this in the past."
Coun. Denise Pallesen noted that even with the $500 and the single fee for the park rental the group would still be short a lot of money.
"It helps though," Cupello said.