Crowded City Council Chambers Hears Emergency Services Fee Debate as More Amendments are Made
By Jeff Toquinto on February 11, 2025
Bridgeport City Council did not approve the first reading of an ordinance that would enact a new emergency services fee to be applied to those lodging in hotels and motels in the city limits. Instead, the city’s governing body amended the ordinance brought to them for /Council%202-10-25%20I%20FF.jpg)
approval for the second straight meeting.
approval for the second straight meeting.
What that means is the item will be brought back up again for a first reading at the Council’s Feb. 24 meeting. At that meeting, the newly amended version will be brought to the table.
It was the concluding chapter of a meeting that began with a 5 p.m. work session, a 7 p.m. regular session and ended before 8 p.m. It likely did not end the way officials from the hotel industry wanted it to end.
Individuals spoke prior to the regular meeting once Council adjourned from an executive session that started the work session. Many of those same individuals spoke again during the public comment session of the regular meeting after its 7 p.m. start.
Six people with ties to the hotel industry in Bridgeport spoke during the work session and/or the public comment portion of the regular meeting in John Aderholt from Century Hospitality; Steve Ludwig, Director of Hospitality at Charles Pointe; Josh Aderholt also from Century Hospitality, Raahul Banwari, Managing Director for SNB Hospitality; Chirag Patel with Comfort Suites; and Peter Hill, with Shaner Investments./Council%202-10-25%20II%20Aderholt%20John.jpg)
The group collectively was against the $6 fee per room per night that would be utilized for emergency services. At best, they were hoping to see the entire fee eliminated with funds coming from the city’s existing budget to provide dollars needed by fire and police. That, even in the amended version, did not happen.
There was also suggestion that if the fee was to be applied to the hotel industry, then perhaps it should also be applied to other industries in the city – such as retail outlets that draw visitors and could also require emergency services while in the city limits. That issue also was not part of the amended ordinance.
It was also recommended by more than one from the group that the item be tabled. The reason for that was the hotel group wanted to provide data for the city to show the hardship it would cause. Banwari stated that the fee would make Bridgeport’s hotel tax rate the highest and the state and that it was also believed the highest in the country. The group also wanted more research and explanation as to /Council%202-10-25%20Lindsey.jpg)
the numbers presented to them as a reason for needing the fee, which tabling the matter would allow.
the numbers presented to them as a reason for needing the fee, which tabling the matter would allow.
The matter was not tabled. However, information from those who spoke was left with City Clerk Lauren Rogers for Council’s review as well as City Manager Patrick Ford.
A trio of individuals also spoke on behalf of the fee. Former Council member Lowell “L.J.” Maxey, who is a member of the Bridgeport Fire Civil Service Commission, spoke in favor of it as did Bridgeport Emergency Services Council member Amy Romano. Former Bridgeport Firefighter Donnie Lindsey, who has spent decades in the industry, also spoke in favor of the fee – all pointing to the need for adequate staffing and quality resources. City Council member Jason Campbell pointed out to those in attendance that the cost for new equipment is "insane." Fees from this ordinance, as noted, would provide equipment for first responders.
In the end, Council did make some changes. First, the effective date of the ordinance was set for July 1 of this year./Council%202-10-25%20Lang.jpg)
The second change involved the fee. As amended, the fee will now be $3 from July 1, 2025, to June 30 of 2026. At that time, it will go to $4.50 until June 30 of 2027. Then, from July 1 of 2027 to June 30 of 2028, the fee would go to the originally suggested total of $6. There was no discussion on what the fee would be after the date of June 30, 2028.
Council Chambers, although at capacity, were filled with several other hotel officials. A substantial portion of the audience also consisted of staff from the Bridgeport Fire Department along with several members of the Bridgeport Police Department.
Council also approved Capital Reserve Fund Budget Revision #2. This will provide $80,000 of roughly $100,000 needed to replace a playground facility at Compton Park. The playground facility is currently off limits to the community as it is cordoned off as the rest of the park is still usable if weather permits.
Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth told those gathered that if all goes on as planned a new playground at the park will be in /Council%202-10-25%20Officer%20Holt.jpg)
place as the weather turns warm. More on that in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.
place as the weather turns warm. More on that in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.
Also on Monday, new Bridgeport Harrison County Farmers Market Managing Director R.J. Minard, who took over from long-time community stewards Debbie and Bob Workman, voiced his displeasure with Ford. He was dismayed with what he cited as Ford not communicating with him, among other issues. Minard said he planned to attend future Council meetings until he felt the matter was addressed. Minard did say there should be an announcement soon on social media regarding the Farmers Market’s 2025 opening.
Also, a pair of awards and presentations were made as an “Employee Service Award” was presented to Patricia “Tricia” Bombardiere. Also, a proclamation was presented for Heart Month to Bridgeport Emergency Management Director Tim Curry and Angelina Davis from the United Hospital Center Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation. Photos on that in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.
Bridgeport Police Officer Isaac Thomas gave the invocation.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows a row of fire personnel at Monday's meeting with one of the hotel officials speaking in the background. Second photo shows John Aderholt addressing concerns with the emergency services fee, while the third photo shows Donnie Lindsey in support of it speaking. In the fourth image, Mayor Andy Lang addresses the audience. Bottom image is of Officer Isaac Thomas during the invocation.
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