County waives permit and security fees for April 29 Cougar Pride event, requires insurance confirmation and Provo PD security

Utah County commissioners voted to waive the event permit fee and the sheriff's security fee for an Out Foundation event scheduled for April 29, provided the organizers deliver proof that they meet county insurance requirements and confirm Provo Police will provide security.

Ben Stanley of the County Attorney's Office introduced the Public Works request from the Out Foundation, sponsor of the Cougar Pride Center, asking for waiver of the permit fee, security costs and (optionally) insurance requirements. A representative for the group, David, told commissioners the event insurer could provide $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate and that the county could be listed as an additional insured.

County counsel and staff explained Utah County's standard event-insurance requirement is $3,000,000 per occurrence, tied to the Utah Governmental Immunity Act and the county's exposure for liability claims. Counsel said organizers commonly carry $1,000,000 per occurrence with higher aggregate limits and often address the shortfall with an umbrella/excess policy or a rider that reaches the county's per-occurrence threshold.

Sheriff Mike Smith told commissioners the sheriff's office has a budgetary cost to provide deputies for event security and cautioned against routinely absorbing that cost; he said he trusted Provo PD to provide adequate security for this event if those officers are available.

Commissioner Gardner moved to approve waivers of the event permit fee and the county security-fee charge on the condition the event provide certificate(s) of insurance meeting county forms and standards and confirm Provo Police coverage; Commissioner Sakovich seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will collect the certificate of insurance and confirm that Provo PD officers will serve as the event's security providers before issuing the permit.

The county did not grant an unconditional insurance waiver; the commission approved fee waivers contingent on confirmation of insurance and security arrangements.