Lexington may charge charities for fundraiser help

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Story Created: Oct 23, 2012 at 5:15 AM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2012 at 3:15 AM EDT

LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Leaders in one South Carolina town are looking at guidelines that would require many nonprofits to start paying for traffic control, trash cleanup and other costs to for races, walks and other events.

The State of Columbia reports (http://bit.ly/XIr5pd) the free help that Lexington gives community fundraisers could end next year except four town-sponsored parades as well as other gatherings with which town officials associated.

The new look comes after town administrator Britt Poole reported that demand for help with fundraisers is rising steadily. He says police officers and town staff assisted at 19 events In the past year, double the previous year.

Most requests are for traffic control. Town officials project that police overtime alone could be as much as $75,000 this year, an increase of 50 percent.