SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Hosting a big event in Sioux Falls might cost more in the future. The city wants to hike the price to block off streets and use public parks for events.
Applications for special event permits are on the rise. The city has processed 26% more applications in 2019 than they did just two years ago.
More special events mean more need for police officers to work at those events. That takes officers away from duties like traffic enforcement.
“While they’re working those special events, they’re not working their primary mission,” Capt. Jeff Garden of the Sioux Falls Police said at the City Council’s informational meeting Monday afternoon.
The city wants event planners to cover the costs associated with bringing in officers.
Deputy Chief of Staff TJ Nelson reached out to other cities that had made similar changes to the way they approved events, like Lincoln, Des Moines and Fargo.
“One common thing that [these cities] have told us is, ‘When we put these models into place our events didn’t dip down,’” Nelson told the council. “They’ve plateaued or they’ve even continued to grow.”
