Two days after the city of Sarasota told the organizers of the annual downtown holiday parade that they will have to pay more than $31,000 to put on the event, city officials sent the parade organizers an e-mail saying they will cover most of the charge.

The city will provide $25,000 toward the cost of police, trash and street-sweeping services. City Manager Bob Bartolotta said the police and public works departments can negotiate with holiday parade organizers to possibly lower or eliminate the remainder of the cost.

Paul Thorpe, parade organizer, said before receiving the city’s e-mail that he would have to consider canceling the event, because he would not be able to come up with the $31,720 he was going to be charged.

“I’m happy now,” Thorpe said. “Santa came early for me.”

Contact Robin Roy at rroy@yourobserver.com.

 

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