After new updates to the town’s municipal sponsorship and naming rights policy were approved in December, staff is now taking steps to add clarity to fees and services that go with activities and events.

Last week, Community Services Recreation Supervisor Rachael Goodwin released a freshly formatted schedule to outline fees for special event applications, facilities rental and additional amenities.

The new schedule outlies special event application fees, special event park rental fees and the additional amenities required such as power, Fountain operation and liquor permit.

Town fees are approved annually with the fiscal year budget, and that information did not change with the amendments.

Events are categorized as to whether they are business or commercial or a non-profit for fundraising.

The application and permit fees vary only in relation to commercial or non-profit sponsorship. There are reduced fees if the applications are submitted 60 days or more prior to the event. Application fees are not refundable.

Event application fees range from $50 to $300 depending on the timeline for submittal and whether it is a commercial or non-profit organization.

Park facilities rental fees for special events are also categorized based on commercial or non-profit, and it also depends on the potential impact of the event related to staff time and other normal activities. The least expensive for instance provides for private use with little or no use of staff resources for set up or logistics.

Larger events that may have significant impact on the condition of the park and also require staff help with set-up and logistics will be more expensive.

There is a third category for even larger events that are expected to attract larger crowds and require extensive set up, security and traffic control.

This all applies to the use of Fountain Park open space and amphitheater, as well as the Avenue of the Fountains Plaza.

The park facilities rental fees range from $750 up to $3,500 per day depending on the organization or size of the event.

There is also a $200 fee for larger events requiring a traffic review and barricading.

There are additional fees for various items or amenities that might be desired. For instance the operation of the Fountain during an event would cost $265 per one half hour. There is also a power box rental fee, special event liquor application fee, and fees if staff is used in relation to the event. Staff time is $21 to $38 per hour for a two hour minimum.

Fee waiver

The town is willing in some instances to waive fees or participate in the event as a co-sponsor. Those requests are submitted with the application information to the town manager and it is his decision on whether to co-sponsor or waive fees.

Criteria the town manager will consider when evaluating a request for fee waiver or co-sponsorship is whether a non-profit is local, are the proceeds being distributed to entities within the community; and whether the event is of a distinct nature that would reflect positively on the town.

For consideration all the permit applications must be properly and completely submitted for review.

Other items to be considered is whether attendance is expected to be 500 or more, the events are free and open to the public, or priority pricing is given to local residents. It should also provide innovative regional marketing with the potential for overnight says in Fountain Hills.

Staff has established a tiered system for new events wanting consideration for in-kind support from the town. If that is granted the first year a 100 percent waiver is granted; the second year the waiver is 50 percent and in year three the waiver is 25 percent of the fee.

This is designed to assist new events get established in the community, but eventually have them bear the costs of the events within the organization.