Lake Placid’s community events are part of what makes the town special. They bring residents together, attract visitors and support the organizations that help keep the community active. Many are well-loved traditions that residents look forward to year after year. But this year’s budget workshops brought forward the question How much of the cost of putting on community events should be paid by Lake Placid taxpayers?
Last year, budgeted expenses associated with 12 community events totaled $38,413, according to Town budget figures. Of that amount, $27,720 was attributed to the Lake Placid Police Department and $10,693 to Public Works.
Police services accounted for the largest share of the expenses. Yet event organizers are not necessarily required to use Town police officers. Town Code Section 5-33 allows organizers using Town parks to provide private security approved by the police chief or pay the Town’s anticipated costs for police services related to crowd control, parking and traffic. Public Works services are not automatically required, either.
Because the Town has historically covered these expenses or waived the fees, event organizers may not have realized that using Town police and Public Works services was optional. The Town Council covered the costs without much discussion – records show, for example, that in 2022 there were no fees for police protection at the Caladium Festival, but in recent years that number has escalated to more than $7,000.00. In 2022, the police department fee was $200 for the Mason G. Smoak 5k Run, while in 2026 it was $2,750. In 2025, when budgeted expenses for 12 community events reached $38,413, the discussion shifted from waiving fees to the actual costs to taxpayers. When events generate revenue for the organizations putting them on, it raises a fair question: how much of those expenses should the public be expected to cover? Should taxpayers cover the cost of police and Public Works services for an event that generates income for its organizer? Or should organizations be expected to pay more of the expenses associated with producing their own events?
There are reasonable considerations on both sides. Town support can help organizations keep events affordable and maintain traditions that residents value. However, the funds have to come from somewhere and taxpayers should have a choice.
At the first budget workshop, the Town reduced its budgeted support for the 12 events to $21,363. The Christmas parade, July Fourth fireworks and Lake Placid High School Homecoming Parade remained unchanged, while funding for several other events was reduced or eliminated. Funding for the Halloween party was later put back into the budget.
The community’s attachment to these events is clear. The question is who should pay for them.
