Sumner Considers Charging Fee for Local Events

Sometimes, it’s the unseen costs that add up the most.

“We have examined costs for events that happen regularly in the city and have found that actual costs were quite high, in terms of public works, police and city staff support,” said Paul Rogerson, community development director for Sumner.

On May 16, the Sumner city council approved the first reading of Resolution 1324, a plan to set a fee schedule for local events. The resolution would allow the city to charge planners to host a party in Sumner, whether it’s a parade down Main Street, a night of music in the park or any other public event.

Rogerson presented the plan to the city council and estimated it could save the city $17,000 over the next year. The resolution would also give Mayor Dave Enslow the right to waive the fees in special circumstances.

“I’m a Sumner girl, everything that’s ever happened in my life revolved around Sumner. With this resolution, I see all those things that make Sumner great will slowly disappear,” said Sumner resident Cris Arnold. “There is so much economic hardship right now, and the one good thing is all our local events. If we start charging for those, we’ll be forced to cut back.”

The Sumner council approved the resolution’s first reading and will revisit it as an action item on June 6. Councilmembers Randy Hynek and Curt Brown both voted ‘no’ on moving the resolution to an action item.

“These events bring a lot of people to town, and they stay here and shop,” said Hynek. “In the long-run, it’s shortsighted to change things too much.”

Application Fee: $200

Staffing Charges

Type 1 event (an event with estimated city costs less than $1,500): $200

Type 2 event (an event with estimated city costs between $1,501 and $2,500): $400

Type 3 event (an event with estimated city costs over $2501): $1,000

Banners (raise and lower): $150 (events paying special events fees receive one free banner raising/lowering)