Paducah May Charge Fees for Event Services

Paducah City Officials have introduced an ordinance that will increase fees for events.

At their Tuesday meeting, the Paducah City Commission introduced an ordinance which amends sections of Chapter 98, Articles VI and VII of the Paducah Code of Ordinances, which will affect parades and general assemblies.

With the City's budget growing tighter, the City is looking for ways to bring in revenue to make up for costs the city takes on when assisting with 5k runs, walks, parades, and festivals.

The amendments introduced will help the city recover some of the costs that go towards materials and services that assist with events, and city officials say it will encourage event organizers to get supplies, services, and equipment from local business.

Some of the changes would include:

•  Adding a $100 permit fee to recover the City's staffing costs associated with the special event application process.

 •  Special event coordinators are to obtain setup, operation, and breakdown materials and services from private businesses.  If all of the businesses within the City limits cannot meet the event’s demand, then the City may offer to provide the equipment, materials, and services at a rate of 125 percent of the average local business pricing. .

 •  If no businesses within the City can provide the services, equipment, or materials for the event, then the City may provide the materials, equipment, and service at a rate of 15 percent of the City’s cost.

The ordinance will have a second reading at an upcoming meeting.