Asheville City Council on May 20 voted to cut its aid to a number of city festivals, such as Goombay and the Greek Festival, to tighten its financial belt as the economy continues to weaken.

In a 4-2 vote, council agreed to slice $68,831 in free equipment loans and cleanup for 23 city co-sponsored events, including free barricade setup for the Oasis Shrine Parade.

The action will not affect independent events such as the Lexington Avenue Arts Festival or the city-run Bele Chere.

The action followed revelations from a new accounting system that the festivals would cost taxpayers nearly $250,000 this fiscal year, when the costs of city employees’ labor, equipment and waived fees were included.

However, the city still will pay $175,101 — including waived police and emergency worker costs —  to help with 25 events.

Councilman Bill Russell explained that council removed nonessential services.

Mayor Terry Bellamy, who voted against the cuts, said they were unfair because they did not affect all events.

The other dissenter on the vote, Councilman Carl Mumpower, contended that festival aid would be better spent on police.

City officials noted that no aid was cut from the Holiday Parade, which was allocated the most of any festival at $57,000, and the Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program because council agreed in special cases to sponsor those events.