Herriman council considers private ticketed winter walk-through at Butterfield Park amid fee-waiver concerns

Herriman City Council members spent an extended portion of their Jan. 8 work meeting reviewing a private proposal to stage a ticketed "Christmas in Color" walk-through at Butterfield Park that would be operated by a promoter in partnership with Friends of Paramount.

Staff described the concept as a ticketed, after-dark walk-through that would use the pavilion and stage for entertainment, place vendors on site and require the promoter to buy and install all event infrastructure. According to staff, the promoter asked the city to consider reducing or waiving standard facility fees; in return Friends of Paramount would provide volunteer staffing and receive a portion of ticket proceeds.

Council members raised two central concerns: potential negative impacts on nearby residents from traffic and parking, and the precedent set by reducing or waiving fees for a privately run, revenue-generating event. One councilmember said the city "shouldn't be subsidizing anything like this," noting wear-and-tear and staff costs that accompany facility use, and asked how the city would cover expenses if fees were reduced. An advocate for the proposal said the promoter expects an economic-development return to local businesses as attendees would "come out, eat dinner, go to [the] walk through environment."

Staff recommended negotiating a property-use agreement that would include explicit language on traffic controls and policing requirements, cleaning/maintenance standards and clear budgetary responsibility. Councilmembers discussed options for a flat administrative fee for the first year to avoid a full waiver and suggested multi-year terms only if agreement language allows annual adjustment. One staff member said the city would work through a property-use agreement and return to council for formal approval, and that the promoter wants to begin purchases and preparations promptly to stage the event in 2025.

The council did not vote on the request at the work meeting; members agreed to draft agreement language and return the item for a future decision. The next procedural step staff described was to prepare a property-use agreement with required traffic, policing and maintenance provisions and bring it back for council consideration.