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Sunbury City Council adopts 2025 fee schedule after extended debate on event, field and rental charges
Summary
After an extended discussion about fees for private events, tournaments and city equipment use, the Sunbury City Council voted to adopt a fee schedule for 2025. Council members debated ticketing, concession-stand charges, field rental rates and rules for the city's event trailer before approving the measure.
Sunbury City Council voted to adopt a revised fee schedule for 2025 after a prolonged discussion about charging private event organizers for use of ball fields, concession stands, road closures, garbage cans and other city equipment.
The change, presented as the finalized 2025 fee schedule, was put forward for a vote after council members and staff discussed lines in yellow (proposed increases) and operational details such as insurance, credit-card-on-file requirements and whether the city should charge internal leagues or only outside, for-profit organizers.
Council members said the goal of the schedule is to recoup costs the city currently covers, including electricity for night games and equipment wear. The council considered a range of fee types: per-team field rental fees, a concession-stand fee option, road-closure permits, rental of city garbage cans and an associated dump/bag fee, and optional equipment rental (tables, chairs, event trailer). Staff told the council organizers would be required to provide a credit card on file for possible damages or unreturned equipment.
Members discussed tiered approaches: lower or waived charges for long-standing nonprofit or city-affiliated groups (SRI was explicitly exempted from fees under current practice), and higher fees for outside promoters or private tournaments that use city utilities or staffing. Council members and staff discussed enforcement mechanisms such as credit-card holds and post-event billing when additional bags or repairs are needed.
Councilmembers also asked about operational details that will be finalized in implementing guidance: how many trash bags per rented can are included, whether the event trailer must remain in the city while rented, and insurance requirements when third parties transport city equipment. Staff said some line-item amounts in the draft are based on the work session from November and that the council would revisit implementation details next year if necessary.
The council approved the fee schedule as presented by motion and roll call vote during the meeting.
The new schedule is intended to take effect for the 2025 calendar year and will be published with implementation guidance (credit-card requirements, insurance and exemptions for city partners). Staff said specific operational details will be clarified with applicants and organizers as the new schedule is implemented.
