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Sedro‑Woolley council pauses enforcement of special‑events fee after public outcry over Logger Rodeo costs
Summary
After widespread public comment from event volunteers and business owners, Sedro‑Woolley city staff and council opened a broader review of the special events code and potential funding sources, including lodging tax and strategic reserves, rather than immediately enforcing a new fee schedule.
Sedro‑Woolley — The City Council did not immediately impose new fees on annual events after an extended public discussion Monday about a recently revised special‑events ordinance and the financial burden it could place on longtime community celebrations such as the Logger Rodeo.
The council opened the conversation after widespread public comment from parade organizers, business owners and residents who said the proposed enforcement of the code would add thousands of dollars to events that rely on volunteers and small budgets.
Mayor Julia Johnson and City Administrator Charlie said the city discovered it had not been enforcing the municipal code's cost‑recovery language and that staff would bring multiple options back to council for consideration. "The letter talks about an October 1 implementation of any kind of fees, so the reason why there are no fees on the application is there are no fees right now being charged," Charlie told the council.
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