Conroe officials have temporarily reduced event-related street closure fees from $1,300 back to $35 following pushback from the business community. City leaders say the rollback will remain in place while a new fee structure is developed.
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Conroe city administrators temporarily lowered the prices for event street closure permits from $1,300 to $35 after months of business opposition.
The Conroe City Council agreed to the reversal on Thursday as an interim measure while officials reevaluate the event permitting process.
Mayor Duke Coon stated, “This is a temporary step back while council and staff rework the model.”
Since November, when the council raised the price from $35 to $1,300 to cover municipal costs of traffic closures during events, the matter has been contentious. Business owners complained that the price hike will deter community activities and undermine local trade.
A Change.org petition with almost 2,200 signatures urged the city to repeal the fee hike.
Council members indicated a fee review in December, but no adjustments were made until this week.
Councilwoman Shana Arthur said the original increase protected taxpayers from event costs.
“We were trying not to have taxpayers subsidize these costs,” Arthur said. “All I care about is that the taxpayers aren't paying for these costs, and we have insurance.”
For city liability, Councilman David Hairel said event organizers need insurance.
“They must have insurance to protect and indemnify the city,” Hairel said.
Coon said the $35 charge structure does not include insurance needs and will be reviewed as part of the ongoing study.
Coon proposes to assemble a group of city officials, council members, and company owners to develop a revised pricing scheme, but no date has been specified. A public hearing may be arranged to elicit community input, he said.
Event organizers should benefit from the decreased price while the city finds a long-term solution.
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