Race organizers may have to pay fees in Charleston

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Race organizers could soon have to pay fees to the city of Charleston.

The Charleston Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/1kjaZSv ) the city’s parks and recreation committee passed a bill outlining rules for the fees.

Several racing groups and charity organizations have previously contested the bill, which had called for fees that ranged from $500 to $1,000 for 5K and 10K racecourses in the city. The bill still needs the approval of city council.

The newspaper reports the idea behind the bill is to help the city recoup costs associated with the races.

Nonprofit organizations could receive a 50 percent discount on their fees if they listed the city of Charleston as an event sponsor.

Fees for established courses would be published by Oct. 1.