Council weighs hiking fees for special events

WEST CHESTER » Council is considering raising the cost to presenters of annual special events, to pay for the full cost of police protection and other associated borough expenses.

Councilman Bernie Flynn, W6, pushed to have organizations pay a fair share for what it actually costs the borough to oversee events.

The four major events most impacted include the annual visit by the Budweiser Clydesdales, the chamber of commerce and QVC Christmas Parade, the charitable BID Rotary Chili Cook-off and the Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic bike race in August.

Major events not impacted

since they are borough sponsored include Super Sunday, the Restaurant Festival and the Halloween Parade.

“The actual costs far exceed what we’re charging people to come to our house for a party,” Flynn said. “We want to make sure our costs are covered.”

Council considered implementing the costs immediately. Council President Diane Lebold noted that budgets for the year are already in place and every dollar collected through the chili cook-off goes to charity.

“Is the borough at all interested in any kind of contribution to underwrite some of these costs?” LeBold asked. “Do we want to do something to help … as a gesture of good will?”

Borough Manager Mike Perrone said it would be difficult to pick “winners and losers” and charge differing amounts.

“The borough costs are all the same,” Perrone said.

While no firm overall costs for events were presented by staff, council heard from Perrone that costs, already in the thousands, could more than double. He suggested that every organization be given “a break” this year.

LeBold called for the additional fees to not go into effect until 2019.

Councilman Bill Scott, W1, along with Flynn, is a member of the public safety committee, which voted 3-0 to recommend making the changes.

“We’re talking about tightening our belts and saving our money,” Scott said. “We felt no reason to not do this at this time.”

Councilman Michael Galey, W3, was opposed to increasing fees and said that a possible consequence could be a limiting of events.

“These events bring people to live here and come to town,” Galey said. “We need to maintain community events that our residents come here for.”

Perrone said that the impacted organizations were consulted prior to the public discussion.

Invoicing for special events was listed as $129 per hour for a police officer earning overtime, $55 per hour for a public works employee and $41 per hour for a parking lot attendant.

A police car runs $52 per hour, a fire vehicle costs $66 an hour and a public works vehicle costs $52 per hour.

Firm numbers on current costs were not presented at the meeting.

“This is not a surprise,” Perrone said. “The surprise might be how much it’s going up.”

Mayor Dianne Herrin said that the borough has an obligation to ensure safety as best it can.

The total overall cost was not available.

Business Improvement District Executive Director Malcolm Johnstone suggested to not act until council obtains the overall event costs.

“If you can’t tell us the difference than we’re making an uninformed decision,” Galey said.

LeBold moved to table the issue until council receives overall costs.

“What is it actually going to cost for each event if we charge full fare?”LeBold asked.

“I’m in favor but there seems to be a lot of holes,” Councilman Michael Stefano, W4, said.

At both the work and voting sessions, council also considered raising the special event parking fee in the garages from $5 to $20.

The additional proceeds might go to the police department to purchase barricades and other event-related items.