Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Event topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves Orange County Triathlon event but denies city funding
Summary
The Community Services Commission approved permitting the Orange County Triathlon on city streets but voted unanimously to deny the organization’s request for up to $15,000 in city fee waivers or direct support. Commissioners cited limited measurable revenue and the organizer’s absence at the meeting.
The Mission Viejo Community Services Commission on Jan. 20 approved permitting the Orange County Triathlon but decided not to recommend city funding or fee waivers beyond routine permit processing. Commissioner Kerr’s motion “to approve the event and deny any request for funding by this organization” passed unanimously, 7–0.
Staff told the commission the city’s out-of-pocket cost to support last year’s event was about $28,200, with roughly $26,500 going to security and Orange County Sheriff’s Department services. “It cost about $28,200,” staff said in presenting the event’s budget, adding the city receives only a small amount of direct tax revenue—about $1,200 to $1,500—from participant spending.
Commissioners pressed staff on the organizer’s economic-impact claims and financial practices. “They say 702 participants—that’s a $175,000—so I’d like to know what the CEO makes or where that money is going,” Commissioner Smith said, questioning why the company seeks $15,000 when organizers appear to earn registration revenue. Commissioner Veccioni (speaker S2) told colleagues she “would like to move that we approve to have this event, but for the organization to pay all the costs.”
Staff noted the event’s organizers were not present to answer questions; commissioners said their absence weighed on the funding decision. Staff also recommended any future fee waivers be tied to performance conditions and meeting required deadlines. The commission’s approval allows the organizer to proceed but leaves any funding or larger fee waivers for city council consideration; staff will forward the commission’s recommendation and the record of the vote to council.
What’s next: The commission forwarded the event approval (without a funding recommendation) to city council for final action and any further consideration of fee waivers or financial participation.
