Special Events In Dubuque County Now Require Special Permit

The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors this week approved a new special events ordinance, which codifies a process for organizing large-scale road events, such as bicycle races, classic car rides and motorcycle runs. All organizers would have to apply for a permit and review plans with the county's roads and sheriff's departments for potential traffic hazards or planned road work.     The ordinance states for-profit event organizers would get four hours of work with county officials for the initial permit fee, and any extra county time would be billed at $50 per hour. There is an exemption for non-profit organizations from paying a $50 permit fee or any additional fees for planning work with county officials. Speakers at previous public hearings said fees would be unfair for those non-profit fundraising events. The penalty for violating the ordinance would be a fine of $500, which can be argued and reduced in District Court