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Letter to the editor

Dunedin budget woes may force event organizers to pay more

Fee waivers may not be as generous as in the past despite the lure of visitors spending cash.

By TAMARA EL-KHOURY, Times Staff Writer
Published August 18, 2007

DUNEDIN - Groups that want to host their special events in Dunedin may soon have to write the city a bigger check.

On Thursday, the City Commission was asked to waive the event fees for the Art Harvest and the Diabetes Challenge.

It's usually a routine request. But this year, commissioners said they were hesitant to waive fees in a time of financial strain for local governments. The commission asked to discuss the city's fee waiver policy at the next meeting, Sept. 6.

"We're not trying to eliminate waiving of fees," said Mayor Bob Hackworth. "We may have to cut back and ask the organizations of some of the events to share a bit of the cost."

The city typically does not charge groups that request a waiver for the cost of renting a facility and labor by city employees to prepare for the event, said Assistant City Manager Harry Gross.

However, not all fees are waived. Organizations are responsible for paying for city employee overtime, materials, electrical hookups and waste disposal, Gross said.

The reason the city traditionally dismisses part of the cost is the hope that events will create exposure and draw people who will spend money at local businesses.

"It gets back to a philosophical question," Gross said. "When most of these events were proposed and came into the city, it was put into the context that these events will bring people into the city."

This year's request from the American Diabetes Association and Suncoast Cycling Association was to waive $1,878 in fees for the 11th Annual Diabetes Challenge, a bicycle event to be held Nov. 18 for the sixth year in Dunedin.

The Diabetes Association, a nonprofit, would still pay the city an estimated $1,337.02 for the event.

The challenge brought 625 people to Dunedin last year. Proceeds will go to the association's programs and services for people with diabetes.

The 44th annual Art Harvest, planned for Nov. 3 and 4 at Highlander Park, asked for a waiver of $12,619.60.

The Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin, also a nonprofit, would pay $8,984.54 for the event. The art show drew more than 35,000 people last year.

"The city of Dunedin's continued support is vital to Art Harvest's success," wrote Gwin Londrigan, the event's co-chair in an application for the art show.

When asked if the organization will still host the event if event fees are only partially waived, Londrigan checked "no."

City commissioners said they want to put organizations on notice that changes may be coming soon. Commissioner Dave Eggers and Vice Mayor Deborah Kynes said if they were to cut fees, they'd like to do an across-the-board cut.

If the city decides to reduce the number of fees it waives, it will affect how much money is raised for the American Diabetes Association, said the event's past chair, Bud Bradley. However, his organization still plans to host the event, he added.

In other news, city commissioners unanimously approved the purchase and sale agreement of the Gateway tract to Ohio developer Pizzuti Solutions for $3.25-million.

Pizzuti, which has an Orlando office, plans to develop the 4.1-acre city-owned parcel into a mixed-used complex for residential, office and retail use. Construction on the property, which straddles State Road 580 and Main Street, is expected to start in spring 2008 and take a year to finish.

The purchase price jumped $250,000 and included an agreement by the city to build an extension of Milwaukee Avenue, according to a memo from City Manager Robert DiSpirito to the City Commission. He said the extension will provide access to the project and the entire downtown and will serve as a catalyst for redevelopment in the eastern part of downtown.

The city will use the money to repay an existing debt on the property and the rest about $2,244,000 will go to reimburse Penny for Pinellas funds that were used to buy the First Baptist Church property.

Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at (727) 445-4181 or tel-khoury@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 17, 2007, 21:46:08]