Lake Placid taxpayers will cover some, but not all, of the police and public works costs associated with community events under the town’s proposed 2026-27 budget. If all 12 events use town police and public works services, the estimated cost is $38,413. The amount included in the town’s budget after the Sept. 14 budget meeting is $23,043.
The difference is the result of changes made during the budget process. The first budget workshop included $21,363 for event services. During the Sept. 14 meeting, the Town Council restored $1,680 for the Halloween event, bringing the budgeted amount to $23,043. The town charges event organizers for police and sanitation services when town employees are used. The current fee schedule includes a $55-per-hour, per-officer charge for special events. Town services are not mandatory, and event organizers can make other arrangements for security and sanitation.
The issue came up during the Sept. 14 meeting as council members revisited event expenses that had been reduced or eliminated during earlier budget workshops. Members discussed whether events that receive sponsorships or charge vendors should be responsible for their own police and public works expenses.
For Halloween, the council restored $1,680 — $1,100 for police and $580 for public works. This year’s Halloween event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31. Event organizer Sara Pipal told the council attendance is expected to be about 6,000 people.
The police expense also led to a discussion about the perception that officers assigned to events are simply “standing around.” Councilwoman Joy Eberhardt raised that perception during the meeting. Police Chief and Acting Town Administrator Mark Schneider said officers assigned to events are working extra duty and are separate from the regular on-duty officer, who must remain available to respond to calls elsewhere in town. Schneider also said officers working last year’s Halloween event had to break up fights.
The council unanimously approved the proposed 2026-27 budget on first reading.
