City Wants To Share Costs Of Downtown Events

The Yakima City Council wants to share the cost of parades and big events downtown. Currently the city pays for security and traffic management for all approved events. But under a new proposal those costs would be shared. Events that the city of Yakima fully sponsors would be paid for by the city. While fundraisers and other special functions the city co-sponsors would be a split cost. Any other private event would be responsible for paying their own security and traffic control costs. City Manager Tony O'Rourke says last year, the city paid around $60,000 to support downtown events. If the council approves the proposal at its’ meeting Tuesday, it would take effect in early June.