Burning Man Suit Settled

Black Rock City LLC, the nonprofit that hosts the week-long Burning Man Music & Arts Festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, has settled its lawsuit against Pershing County alleging unconstitutional fee increases.

Court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Reno show the organizers agree to pay the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office about $240,000 a year for the next 10 years for security and other services, as well as costs related to prosecuting felony arrests made at the event.

The U. S. Bureau of Land Management’s fee for the event is covered in a separate agreement, which also requires the event to carry up to $1 million in insurance.

The meeting of minds puts an end to the lawsuit filed by BRC last year challenging the constitutionality of a new county ordinance that would have required the promoters to pay the county $1.50 per-person attending the event.

This year’s Burning Man attracted about 68,000 people.

“The settlement is great news for our participants and our community,” Marian Goodell, BRC director of business and communications, told Burningman.com. “The resolution of the suit bodes well for the sustainability of Burning Man. The settlement ensures our ability to operate our annual event in the Black Rock Desert in the future.” The legal action is expected to be dismissed based on the new agreement during a Nov. 25 court hearing.

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