County committee adopts $1,000 security deposit and new fee rules for public events

A Trempealeau County committee voted to adopt new language for its special-event application that requires a $1,000 security deposit for public events that include alcohol sales, amplified music or temporary structures.

Jeremy, a parks-and-recreation staff member who led the presentation, told the committee the county still held a security-deposit check from a prior event but had no contractual authority under the 2025 agreement to retain it. He said the county will void and return that check to the named payee, Ricardo, because it is past the cashing window and the county lacks legal grounds to keep it. "If no damages occur, Trempealeau County facilities and parks department has 21 business days to return the thousand dollar security deposit to the applicant," Jeremy said, reading the proposed language.

The adopted language, as read aloud, requires a $1,000 security deposit to be paid at reservation approval for qualifying events. The deposit is refundable if the venue is used only during contracted hours, is vacated and cleaned on time, and all temporary structures are removed. The county may charge the applicant for damages that exceed the deposit based on a cost estimate; if damage costs are below that amount, the county may apply administrative violation fees of $100 to $200 per violation. Jeremy said bids would be sought if estimated damages exceeded the deposit amount.

Jeremy also outlined the fee structure and payment method: for commercial, for-profit events the proposal sets a $1,000 security deposit plus a $1,055 event fee, with sales tax, producing a total of $2,055 per event. Payment is to be made to the parks and recreation manager in two cashier's checks or money orders — one for the event fee and one for the deposit. Jeremy said the county prefers that approach to avoid handling cash, personal checks or taking credit-card numbers over the phone because of security and chargeback risks.

Committee members discussed enforcement and costs. Jeremy said an arena damage estimate from last year was about $900, which he could cover from current budget funds; he also said he purchased an arena drag that should arrive in about two weeks to repair ruts. Members noted that using internal county crews or equipment can be less expensive than hiring private contractors and discussed how hourly rates for labor and equipment might be applied when charging applicants.

Rich Anderson moved to adopt the changes and Kevin seconded. The committee approved the changes by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded. The chair said the updated language will be posted on the county website and that future event approvals could be withheld if damages from prior events are not addressed within 30 days.

The meeting adjourned after the vote.