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Commissioners approve arena use for GT group's award presentation and fundraisers; debate over fee policy and annual contracts
Summary
The court approved use of the county arena by a community group for three events at a $50 per-event rate, and commissioners debated whether recurring nonprofit users should instead have annual contracts and consistent fee schedules to avoid perceived unfairness.
Denman County Commissioners approved requests from a community group (identified in the record as GT) to use the county arena for an awards presentation and two bingo fundraisers at a $50 per-event rate.
Jasmine, the county’s events coordinator (referred to in discussion), and multiple commissioners explained that the court already maintains a schedule of facility fees and that pre-approved uses could occur without a court agenda item when rates are not waived. Commissioners said the $50 fee had been previously approved for the group so long as the arena was available. On the record, a commissioner volunteered to pay the $50 fee for the June awards presentation.
Several commissioners raised broader fairness concerns. One commissioner said routinely approving ad‑hoc fee reductions for one organization could prompt other groups to request the same special treatment. Commissioners discussed an option for the group to enter a year‑long contract outlining all events and fees, which some said would reduce agenda congestion and ensure consistent application of fees across nonprofit and for‑profit users.
Commissioners also discussed differences between 501(c)(3) nonprofits and other organizations and whether fee discounts should be limited to certified nonprofits; the court clarified that some fundraising groups that operate under 501(c)(3) status still generate net revenue and that policy should be consistent and transparent. The court directed staff to work with the events coordinator to clarify fee schedules and suggested bringing contract options and an events coordinator’s report to a future meeting so recurring users are processed administratively rather than by agenda item.
A motion to approve the three requested arena dates at $50 per event carried by voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to return with contract language and recommended that the events coordinator include recurring requests in her regular report so commissioners can see them without requiring separate agenda time.
