Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident requests waiver of non-resident park fees; city attorney cites gift-of-funds restriction
Summary
Linda Carter asked the council to waive non-resident fees for park use after a clerical error previously charged her a resident rate. City Attorney Jim Buzzard advised the council that waiving the fees would be a prohibited gift of public funds and suggested alternatives.
Linda Carter told the council she hosted a Dutch oven event at Winolequa Park last year and, because of a clerical error, was charged the resident rate. For the current year she was charged the non-resident rate and said she shortened the event schedule by four days. Carter asked the council to waive the non-resident fees.
City Attorney Jim Buzzard responded that the City of Winlock could not waive non-resident fees because Carter resides outside city limits and that "doing so would constitute a gift of public funds." He offered two alternatives: have a nonprofit organization reserve and host the event (requiring only a refundable deposit) or have a city resident reserve and host the event on Carter's behalf. The minutes record the attorney's advice and no council action to waive fees.
