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MyspaceNo doubt looking to avoid the mid-grade chaos and subsequent bureaucratic finger-pointing that entangled Montecito during Kim Kardashian’s mega-wedding last summer, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new protocol this week for the handling the various Special Event Permits required for such affairs. The vote effectively makes the county’s Community Services director, a position currently held by Herman Parker, the point person in charge of sharing special event information with all the appropriate wings of county government, such as the planning and public works offices, and the County Fire and Sheriff’s departments.
In somewhat related county news, the supervisors voted 5-0 this week to formalize the process by which people apply for Right of Way Special Event Permits to allow marathons, bike races, parades, farmers markets, and other events. Permits, issued by the Public Works Department, had been free, but according to staff, the 60 permits issued in 2011 cost the county over $22,000 in staff hours. Now, permits will be priced anywhere from $50 to more than $350 depending on the size of the proposed event, the scope of its impact on the community, and the manpower it will require from staff. There will also be the opportunity for certain events to have the fee waived.
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So where do my f-ing taxes go if it's not to pay for "staff hours". Does the staffs basic wage only cover showing up and playing tiddly winks? No....these charges are to cover rising costs which have not been cut to match budget. To hell with the tax payer, they will take our money one way or another".
JHL (anonymous profile)
January 11, 2012 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with JHL on this. There's many many other instances in which people are being forced to pay huge fees "to cover costs" that the public employees are already being paid to do.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
January 14, 2012 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure they would like to charge us a fee to have a picnic at the beach as well. Anything to cover salaries, benefits and pensions.
Can we vote NO on this? What about a ballot item that says no increase in current fees -- parking, tickets, planning, permits, court fees, etc without a vote of the people? If we wanted to be generous and tie increases to the same "1% but not greater than inflation" that property tax increases are tied to. I'd be happy to vote for that!
loneranger (anonymous profile)
January 15, 2012 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How will they determine which events won't be charged a fee? As written it all seems arbitrary and objective.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
January 16, 2012 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How will they determine which events won't be charged a fee? As written it all seems arbitrary and subjective.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
January 16, 2012 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Take your pick but my mistake illustrates my overall point.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
January 16, 2012 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)