St. Paul councilors propose $155,000 security‑credit pilot to offset festival policing costs

St. Paul City Council Organization and Policy Committee members discussed a proposal to create a security‑credit pilot program using $155,000 from this year’s budget to help offset rising policing costs for events and festivals, committee leaders said at the meeting.

The pilot would not fully cover security costs but would provide a direct credit from city funds to subsidize part of law‑enforcement expenses for qualifying, St. Paul‑based events. Council President Naker and Council Member Buie said the aim is to reduce the financial barrier that prevents some neighborhood and cultural events from proceeding.

Council Member Buie explained the magnitude of the security burden organizers face: "The cost per officer ... is $108.38 per hour," and, she said, "for example, if an event requires 25 officers, they have to pay $16,257" just for officers. Buie said the council set aside $155,000 in the budget and is proposing to allocate that money as credits administered by city staff rather than as grants distributed directly by the council.

The program outline under discussion would apply…