How much should private civic events pay the Police Department for security?

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Police Department says it costs $100,000 a year for the department to provide security for private events, the largest of which is the Freedom Festival fireworks display. Other high-cost events include the Alliant Energy 8-K race, the St. Jude's Sweet Corn Festival, the Cedar Boat Club fireworks and the Downtown Farmers Market.

In total, the department provides security for more than 30 events in a year.

In the last several weeks, the City Council has decided to steer some of the department's $25,000 annual budget allocation for overdue pay to pay for some of the expense at the Freedom Festival fireworks and the Alliant race, both on July 4.

The department now wants the City Council to provide some direction on how much the department should bill events for security and how much the council intends to pay for using public city dollars.

The Freedom Festival has requested $15,000 and the Alliant race, $5,000, of the $25,000 police overtime budget, the department notes in a memorandum to the City Council.