The following report is courtesy of Dave Stewart from TheGuardian.pe.ca:

The Charlottetown promoter behind the much-anticipated AEROSMITH concert at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre this July says an official announcement could be coming within days.

That was the word from David Carver Monday night after city council agreed to foot the bill for police and fire services on the day of the show.

Council voted 5-3 in favour of using taxpayers dollars to pay for having enough police and firefighters on scene. Couns. Kim Devine, Peter McCloskey, David MacDonald, Cecil Villard and Rob Lantz approved the resolution, while Mitchell Tweel, Danny Redmond and Melissa Hilton opposed the move.

How much it will cost city taxpayers is uncertain at this point.

Carver told the media that his guess was it wouldn't cost any more than $25,000.

Lantz said that was the initial figure, but it has since come down. Carver said plans are to have 25,000 tickets go on sale for the July 22 show.

“I’m confident that we’re a step closer to this happening in Prince Edward Island,’’ Carver said at council’s regular monthly public meeting. “If you thought last year’s (event) was well organized, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.’’

Lantz, vice-chair of the event attraction committee, said the city estimated the economic impact of the Aerosmith concert is $10 million.

“July is no longer our bread and butter month, not like it used to be,’’ Lantz said in reference to the tourism season. “Our events development officer says other municipalities approve grants in the area of $100,000 for events of this magnitude.

“That level of support is obviously beyond the means of the City of Charlottetown and we are not proposing such a grant here.’’

Tweel said he doesn’t think the city should be on the hook for a dime considering the province owns the CDPEC and is a major sponsor of the concert. He also said the city promised residents events like this would be cost-neutral to Charlottetown taxpayers.

“We heard $10 million is going to be driven into our economy. I think some of the profits should go to providing personnel whether it be fire or police. It should come from the promoter and the provincial government.’’

Tweel said he’s concerned council did not cap the money the city would spend on police and fire protection for the concert.