San Diego nonprofit event organizers will have more room to breathe in a city rate hike after City Council approved an amended proposal on Feb. 14 calling for police fees to be doubled more than during four years instead of two.
The amendment, tabled by Councilman Joe LaCava, District 1 of which includes La Jolla, is raising the rate more slowly. The hourly rate for special event police officers will increase from $ 55 to $ 72 in fiscal year 2024, then to $ 89 in fiscal year 2025, $ 104 in fiscal year 2026, and $ 119 in fiscal year 2027. instead of rising to $ 119 in 2025.
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The police rate is between 50 separate rates which are expected to increase by at least 40 per cent in the coming years and in many cases double.
The LaCava office said the increase in police fees is the only one that is being applied more slowly, and only for non-profit, non-commercial events.
City officials say most rates have not gone up in many years and that increases are needed to cover city costs to oversee these events. These costs have risen sharply as the city’s workers’ wages have risen more than 30 percent since 2019. Tariff increases are expected to generate $ 8.4 million in annual revenue for the city. .
But nonprofits that organize events such as farmers markets, street fairs and annual festivals have said the timing of the increases is horrible because they are already facing the financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation.
“While the city needs to recoup its costs in providing special services, it may reduce the shock of sticking up to date after previous administrations have not implemented additional tariff adjustments within a reasonable period of time.” , LaCava said in a statement. “Our own five-year financial outlook predicts that the city will not recover from COVID-19 until fiscal year 2026, but the original proposal imposed substantial tariff increases on nonprofits in 2024. These events “We have created a solution to meet the needs of both the city and our community partners.”
The plenary unanimously approved the amendment.
“The San Diego Coalition of Events is very grateful for Councilor Joe LaCava’s amendment to the proposed rate increase for police and for recognizing the value of the San Diego Event Community for the San Diego City’s economy, ”said Laurel McFarlane, president of La Jolla’s event planner. the San Diego Event Coalition, which strongly opposed the original plan. “Board member LaCava listened to professionals in the event industry and non-profit communities as we explained the difficulties that would be the increases for an industry so devastated by the pandemic. He stepped in to help, and have a “We look forward to continuing to work with Councilor LaCava on a solution that is fair and equitable with input from all stakeholders.”
McFarlane Promotions manages the dissemination and promotion of events such as the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Motor Show and the La Jolla Art & amp; Wine party.
The response to the amendment by the organizers of these events was mixed.
Michael Dorvillier, president of La Jolla Concours, said raising the quota for four years “gives us more time to adjust. That said, it will still sting you. It’s still very disappointing that the city is no longer willing to support non-profit organizations “.
But Art & amp; Wine Festival founder Sherry Ahern praised LaCava, saying, “He was the only one who seemed to listen to us. I feel he did well and thought about our needs. …
“People from all over come to these events. People have been passing by, and raising rates like this … will make some people leave. He came to our rescue. “
He said he believes some aspects of the rate hike will be reviewed and that the rate hike “is not taxed”. ◆