Bristol council votes to raise Cumberland Square Park fencing fee to $5,500; sets flat $150 rental fee

The Bristol City Council approved an increase to Cumberland Square Park usage fees on Jan. 12, raising the fee for a full-fence installation from $4,500 to $5,500 and setting a flat $150 per-event rental fee for the park when city services are required.

Jay Dietrich, the staff presenter, told the council the fencing currently used at Cumberland Square Park was purchased by Birthplace of Country Music with a state grant around 2021 and is stored and installed by the city under an agreement. Dietrich said the $4,500 installation fee was set in 2021 but that recent estimates of mobilization, overtime and maintenance costs support a $5,500 fee. He said the city is not seeking profit but wants to cover administrative and labor costs. "We feel that the $4,500 fee should be raised up to $5,500 just to cover those costs," Dietrich said.

Dietrich provided usage figures: 104 paid rentals in 2024 and 77 in 2025. He also reported a private fence company quote of about $9,500 for comparable service, which he used to show the city fee remains lower than market rental plus installation.

Councilmember (Speaker 4) moved to approve the increased fees and Speaker 6 seconded. After council discussion about nonprofit versus for-profit breakdowns and event frequency, the clerk called the roll and the motion carried with affirmative votes from the council members present.

The revised fee schedule will apply to future event reservations requiring city services and to full-fence installations. Other fee categories noted in the packet remain: a prior differential of $70 for nonprofits and $120 for others is being addressed by the flat $150 rate for events requiring services.