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Council approves Susquehanna River Running Festival; sponsor to reimburse police overtime

2667332 · March 18, 2025

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Summary

Havre de Grace council approved the Susquehanna River Running Festival for Sept. 19–20, 2025, and amended the approval to require the event sponsor to reimburse the city for police overtime costs. Estimated police overtime was $24,150; an estimated DPW charge ($7,715.52) will not be billed to the sponsor under the motion.

The Havre de Grace City Council voted March 17 to approve the Susquehanna River Running Festival for Sept. 19–20, 2025, and added an amendment requiring the event sponsor to reimburse the city for police overtime costs.

Race organizers said the event draws regional participants and brings economic benefits to local businesses. Will Murdoch, representing the festival, explained that the event attracted nearly 1,900 participants last year and that organizers are again coordinating course logistics, runner guides and local business promotions.

Councilmember Booker moved to amend the event approval so the promoter reimburses the Havre de Grace Police Department for overtime costs. The amendment was seconded and carried 5-0. Staff provided an estimate for police overtime at $24,150 and for Department of Public Works (DPW) services at $7,715.52; council limited the sponsor reimbursement requirement to police overtime only, consistent with prior practice.

Festival representatives said last year’s actual police overtime invoice paid by the sponsor was $6,504 (including FICA). Festival leaders asked council to consider the event’s overall economic impact when reviewing cost-sharing requests; organizers estimate the event costs roughly $200,000 to stage and bring substantial local patronage to restaurants and retail.

With the police-OT reimbursement condition in place, council voted to approve the running festival motion (original approval moved by Councilmember Boyer, amended by Councilmember Booker) by a 5-0 vote.

Ending

Staff will prepare an invoice to the event promoter after the festival for actual police overtime incurred; DPW costs were estimated in staff materials but were not required to be reimbursed by the sponsor under the council amendment.