SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Officials in Santa Fe are trying to get nonprofits to pay a combined $140,000 in parking and police protection fees for their special events.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports (https://bit.ly/2iVALkD) that those services were provided free in the past, but officials decided to eliminate the giveaways in a bid to close a $15 million budget gap.
Mayor Javier Gonzales says the city notified nonprofits that they would face the fees, yet the groups claim there wasn’t ample warning of the costs.
The past-due payments range from $1,515 for the Rotary Club of Santa Fe’s Fourth of July Pancakes on the Plaza event to $59,746 for the Santa Fe Fiesta Council’s arts and crafts markets.
City spokesman Matt Ross says the city plans to be flexible with the nonprofits.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, https://www.sfnewmexican.com
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