Festival security fees and the new security credit
Summary
Festival organizers say police security bills — up to $74,000 for Cinco de Mayo — are crushing community events. The council earmarked $155,000 last year but it lapsed into fund balance without being spent. Two rival proposals for distributing the money will be reconciled next week.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Feb 25, 2026.
Impact analysis
$155,000 per year in ongoing general fund money; last year's allocation lapsed unspent.
Neighborhood and cultural festival organizers facing rising security costs.
Festivals that already paid their security bills receive no retroactive relief under the adopted credit.
Mentions & discussions (2)
City Council — February 25, 2026
Cultural festivals say police security bills — sometimes $65,000 to $95,000 — are threatening their survival. The council couldn't agree to erase old unpaid bills but did create a credit worth up to $7,000 or half the police bill for qualifying 2026 events, and plans a bigger conversation about ending the fees entirely.
City Council — February 4, 2026
Festival organizers say police security bills — up to $74,000 for Cinco de Mayo — are crushing community events. The council earmarked $155,000 last year but it lapsed into fund balance without being spent. Two rival proposals for distributing the money will be reconciled next week.
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