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Laketown council weighs new rules and fees for renting Rodeo arena
Summary
The Laketown Town Council discussed a proposed ordinance to govern large events at the Laketown Rodeo, including fee schedules, insurance, and operational requirements. Council directed the mayor to work with the town attorney to draft contract language and maintain authority to adjust fees.
The Laketown Town Council discussed a proposed ordinance on Feb. 23 intended to regulate large events at the Laketown Rodeo and limit municipal liability while supporting community and commercial uses.
At the meeting, council members reviewed draft rental rules for the rodeo grounds, which the minutes list with an estimated bleacher capacity of 3,000. Under the proposal, commercial events with 500 or more attendees would face a $4,000 base rental fee, a 10% revenue share, and a $10,000 damage deposit for the rodeo derby specifically; the council left other event deposits to be set on a case-by-case basis. The draft also calls for a certificate of liability insurance naming Laketown as an additional insured, a Bear River Health mass-gathering permit approved 45 days before the event, plans for parking and cleanup, and a requirement that event planners present the approved health plan to council. The town would not provide a speaker system; use of the concession stand would be decided by council.
Council members also discussed a different fee structure for nonprofit or community events: smaller rental fees for gatherings under 499 people, a $500 fee for events of more than 500 people, and a policy that events with more than 1,000 attendees be treated as commercial events. Damage deposits and insurance requirements for nonprofits would be set according to town policy. Council members repeatedly raised concerns about parking impacts and the need for sanitation (porta-potty rentals during park renovation was discussed).
The council concluded the discussion by asking the mayor to work with the town attorney to draft a rental contract that includes the town’s authority to adjust or waive fees for individual events. Council Member Kris Hodges moved to approve the meeting agenda at the start of the session; that procedural motion carried unanimously. No final ordinance or contract was adopted at the meeting.
The council indicated the proposed event rules are a starting point and invited further drafting and review before any final vote.
