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Spanish Town parade organizers warn policing costs could sink downtown event that brings millions in impact
Summary
Organizers of the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade told the council that newly proposed policing costs for special events could make the parade financially unviable; presenters cited a Visit Baton Rouge estimate of roughly $4.65 million combined economic impact and asked the city to allocate policing support or develop objective criteria for event funding.
Spanish Town parade organizers told the Metropolitan Council they face existential budget pressure if the city requires organizers to pay full policing costs for large downtown events.
Robert King, president of SPILL (the parade organizers), and former president Bill Broomfield told the council the parade has grown into a major downtown event that draws visitors and hotel occupancy and supports local charities. Broomfield cited Visit Baton Rouge figures presented to organizers estimating a roughly $2.8 million direct impact and $1.8 million indirect impact — a total near $4.65 million…
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