Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift opened a discussion on the city charging a fee and refundable deposit for organizations, both for- and nonprofit, to hold events in Midway such as road races.
Vandegrift advised he had surveyed a number of other Kentucky towns and cities to get an understanding of how these are treated. He pointed out that Midway appears to be the only municipality which charges no fee to hold an event. “This isn’t about discouraging people for holding things here,” he said. “But, we have associated costs and its reasonable to charge something. We have a small town, beautiful countryside, and it is a way to hold folks accountable who may not be familiar with how we do things here.”
Vandegrift, as a jumping off point, said he would be in favor of a $100 application fee with a $250 refundable deposit. If city employees end up having to clean up more than expected or there is any damage, then some or all of the deposit would be forfeited. Vandegrift said the $250 is based on a reasonable estimate of the work hours needed for extra work.
Vandegrift also said the organizer will be required to have met with the Versailles Police Department (VPD) to agree on necessary police coverage and payment of any fees VPD requires for this service. Comparing Midway to how Georgetown deals with charges for extra coverage of its police department, he said “We don’t have our own police force. We can’t tell Versailles Police what to do, they are not our police. They police us, but it was made very clear that they do not work for us, they work for Versailles.”
Any Midway-based nonprofit or Midway University would be exempt from the fee and deposit. This includes the Midway Merchants Association which sponsors Fall Festival and Bourbon and Blues. Nonprofits which are not based in Midway would pay a $50 application fee and the full deposit. Vandegrift said event permit requirements should also require a person affiliated with the organizer to be present in Midway at all times during the event, and cited the Bourbon Barrel Run as no longer doing that since its been taken over by an out-of-state organization.
After opening the matter for discussion, Councilmember Logan Nance said he supported the new rules but wanted to make sure Midway University was included, and some though is given to the number of events which includes live music. “Unlike Lexington or Frankfort, we are small so if there is live music then you can hear it all over town. I think we just need to be aware of that . . . I also think it would be wise to let Sharon Gold (the city attorney) review the proposed ordinance and permit too.”
Councilmember Patrick Hall proposed a deadline for an application be filed no later than 30 days before the event, and, if approved, the organizer would have to give written notice to all residents along the route in the case of a run or bike event, Councilmember Kay Nita Gallagher suggested there also be a “no earlier” application time to insure “folks don’t forget its on the calendar when they get permission nine months before it happens.”
Vandegrift noted since there had been very few applications for 2026 events so far, the council was ahead of the curve in adopting new rules now. He said he will come back to the next meeting with a draft permit to be voted on.
Park Board appointments
Council ratified the appointments of Cecelia Gass and Bob Rathbone to five-year terms on the Midway Park Board. Gass is the current chairperson, and Rathbone the current secretary.