Audit recommends clearer pricing and better permitting coordination for large outdoor events; council asks for committee update on technology solution

The City Auditor presented an audit on city costs tied to large outdoor special events, finding opportunities to increase transparency and improve customer service for event organizers. The office examined permitting and department invoicing for 84 large events in fiscal year 2023–24 and recommended clearer advance cost estimates and a more coordinated billing and permitting process.

Auditor Joe Royce reported city fees and labor billed to event organizers amounted to about $622,000 in FY2023–24, with roughly 51 percent attributable to police staffing (sworn and non‑sworn costs). The audit found cost estimates for security and traffic control were not consistently provided to organizers and that posted hourly rates were incomplete on the city website. The report recommended identifying thresholds for when event cost estimates must be provided, publishing sworn and non‑sworn rates online, and updating guidance to clarify roles for private security and non‑sworn staff.

The audit also found permitting…