As the city continues to struggle with its budget crisis, the cost of police presence at the city’s civic events is being passed on to the local organizations sponsoring them.

One of the largest annual events requiring a police presence in San Diego is the annual LGBT Pride Parade, which draws crowds in excess of 100,000 people.

In the past, police presence at the parade and festival have cost a modest $2,000, but this year police are estimating that the cost to Pride organizers will run somewhere between $18,000 and $20,000 – a cost that will be passed on to festival and parade organizers and participants.

Pride has already made adjustments to the pricing for the festival and parade. For the two-day festival in Balboa Park, the one-day admission price will remain the same at $12, while the two-day pass will increase from $19 to $20. For the parade, businesses will bear most of the brunt of increased fees.

“They warned us, so I wasn’t surprised,” said Suanne Pauley, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride. “Mainly, if it’s a non-gay and lesbian business, we feel the advertising that the parade gives them, it warrants the increase,” Pauley said.

Last year’s businesses paid a flat rate of $50 to have their contingent in the float. This year that cost will be raised as high at $300 for national businesses such as Jack in the Box, Miller Brewing or Hewlett Packard. Smaller local businesses will see their fees go up to $150.

“The parade has never paid for itself and still won’t pay for its self,” Pauley said, referring to the ticket price. “It’s more of a community event that we sponsor. This will help pay for the police, but this is in no way ever going to pay for the parade.”

As one of the largest annual festivals in San Diego, Pride also has a stronger financial backing than many other smaller events, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade or the Veterans’ Day parade.

“We understand that the city is in a bind and they have to do what they have to do,” Pauley added. “Luckily for us we have the resources to still be able to continue. We have the monetary resources to weather this storm.”