Flotilla leaders asking for police and fire fee waiver | Entertainment

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) – It’s one of the biggest events in Wrightsville Beach and members of the Holiday Flotilla want to avoid a big bill that could go with it. All private events have to pay extra for police and fire service if the event needs it. But, that extra expense could cost about $2,600 to the Flotilla.

Flotilla members asked the town to consider picking up the cost of the extra-duty police and firefighters. The town will vote on approving that measure at its meeting Thursday. Alderman Bill Sisson said leaders are considering waiving the cost to the Flotilla, because it is such a big event for the town and the town co-sponsors the event.

"If the town is a co-sponsor, it's one thing,” Sisson said. “If the town's not a co-sponsor, it's another and the town doesn't just go out and co-sponsor events. It has to be something fairly special."

He said the measure to charge event organizers for off-duty officers was put into effect several years ago to cut down on overtime costs the town had to pick up for events.

He said it’s rare for the town to make an exception to the rule. But, he said the Flotilla helps to bring people to town during the off-season, and it is something that has become part of the town’s identity.

"The Flotilla is a very popular event with the town and, so far, we haven't received any complaints from tax payers about doing that," he said.

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