Commission approves courthouse-grounds rules with changes to staging, fees and application timeline

The Rutherford County Commission approved revised rules for use of the courthouse grounds, including new provisions to manage staging, parking access and scheduling for public events.

Staff explained changes that include a requirement that stages be set up on the west side of the courthouse square to preserve some parking/access on the east side during business hours, a deadline requiring applicants to submit requests by the first Friday in March so an annual calendar can be set, and a prohibition on gas or charcoal grills and smokers on the grounds. Fees were outlined in the proposal: a $750 flat fee for single-day events, $500 per day for multi-day consecutive events and $400 partial-day fees for multiple events on the same day; the county mayor may waive the fee for a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Staff said the county attorney reviewed the rules. Commissioner Irvin said he would vote no because he had not had sufficient time to study the revisions; the motion passed by roll call with a majority in favor.

Staff was directed to publish the updated rules and open applications after approval, and commissioners noted common recurring events that use the grounds (farmers market, community events).