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Council narrows facility fee waivers for nonprofits after debate over fiscal impact and free speech
Summary
Council amended Policy No. 1 to limit fee‑waiver days for nonprofits to two per calendar year (per facility), add deposit and cancellation requirements, and create an appeal route to council with no fee; staff said prior waivers totaled just over $20,000 in potential rental income. Opponents warned the changes could chill civic speech and penalize groups that have sued the city.
The City of Twentynine Palms on Nov. 11 approved amendments to its fee‑waiver and facility rental rules intended to reduce lost revenue and improve cost recovery for city facilities. Staff reported that, under the current practice since May 2024, fee waivers tracked by staff amounted to just over $20,000 in potential rental income and that the city had no deposit, cancellation or refund policy for many facilities.
Key policy changes the council approved include: reducing…
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