Stevensville council tables request to waive special-event fee for church’s back-to-school barbecue

The Stevensville Town Council on June 25 tabled a request to waive a $125 special-event permit fee for a back-to-school barbecue organized by Revive Bitterroot Church, citing questions about crowd size, pavilion needs and potential police overtime.

Town staff member Janelle explained the application shows pavilion rental at $40 per pavilion and a one-day electrical hookup at $20 and said the organizers are "estimating 800 people at this point." Tanya, identified as the park board chair, confirmed the group had used pavilion space in prior years.

Council members focused on two practical issues: how many pavilions the event would require (one or two), and whether police staffing and related overtime would create costs that the current proposed payment would not cover. Councilor Gina raised policing concerns, saying the proposed $60 (pavilion + power) "wouldn't cover" the likely overtime costs. The council agreed staff should clarify whether organizers intended to rent one or two pavilions and to get an estimate for police costs.

Several council members also expressed concern about creating a precedent for fee waivers. After discussion, a motion was made to table the decision and return it to the council with the requested details at the July 9 meeting; the motion was seconded and carried by the members present.

Next steps: staff will return to the July 9 meeting with clarifying information on pavilion rentals, electrical hookups, estimated attendance and any police staffing costs so the council can decide whether to grant the waiver.