At Tuesday’s Keizer Fire District Board of Directors meeting, a review of special events fees was discussed, stemming from the ReAwaken America event at Volcanoes Stadium last month.
Currently, the KFD’s ordinance has them not try to generate a profit and only look to recover costs from large events. However, the ReAwaken America event required dozens of hours of planning, extra staffing and all chief officers on standby, according to Keizer Fire District Chief Jeff Cowan.
The ordinance allows the board to review and amend the costs and charge an appropriate amount. Cowan said the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association has an hourly rate chart that has been adopted by the state that can be used.
According to Cowan, Keizer City Manager Wes Hare is making it a priority to close a loophole that allowed the event to take place at Volcanoes Stadium without a permit.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included the move to return to in-person meetings. Starting next month the Board of Directors and budgetary meetings will be in person, with a call-in or virtual option available.
Cowan also addressed the decision to cancel the Mother’s Day Breakfast. Among the reasons Cowan gave were staffing and supply chain issues. The possibility of teaming with another Keizer group in the future to help with events and take some strain off of the KFD staff was brought up.
