The Oldsmar City Council is taking significant steps to refine its criteria for evaluating special event requests, aiming to create a more structured and transparent process. During the recent work session on November 14, 2024, council members discussed various factors that could influence decisions on fee waivers and event approvals.

Key considerations include whether the event is organized by a nonprofit, its public accessibility, and the potential economic benefits to the city. Council members emphasized the importance of having the event host or organizer be the primary applicant and suggested requiring pre- and post-event reports to assess the impact and success of the events.

One notable proposal discussed was the possibility of offering full fee waivers for Oldsmar-based nonprofits while considering partial waivers for those outside the city. This approach aims to support local organizations while still maintaining a level of accountability through financial reporting.

Council members expressed interest in adopting best practices from neighboring cities, with some favoring a model used by Safety Harbor that includes detailed financial disclosures from event organizers. The idea is to ensure that events not only align with the city’s strategic vision but also provide tangible benefits to residents.

As the council moves forward, they plan to develop a comprehensive evaluation policy that will be presented for adoption in future meetings. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering community engagement through events while ensuring responsible use of city resources.