Court Rules Columbus Zoo Must Pay Protection Service Fee

The Delaware Court of Common Pleas has ordered the zoo to collect and pay a fee to the township that provides its fire and EMS services.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:31pm

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A court has ruled that the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium must collect and pay a fee to the township that provides its fire and EMS service. The Delaware Court of Common Pleas determined that the zoo must pay the 'Protect and Serve Fee' to Liberty Township, despite the zoo's argument that the law imposing such fees on entertainment venues does not apply to them as a nonprofit entity.

Why it matters

The ruling highlights the ongoing tensions between municipalities and large nonprofit organizations over the costs of providing public services. As the Columbus Zoo is a major tourist attraction, the township argued it should contribute to the fire and EMS services it utilizes, while the zoo contended it should be exempt as a nonprofit. This case could set a precedent for how other municipalities approach fees for services provided to nonprofit entertainment venues.

The details

In July 2025, Liberty Township passed an ordinance imposing a fee of up to $1 per ticket to cover the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fire and EMS services provided to the Columbus Zoo annually. The township later reduced the fee to $0.75. The zoo challenged the fee, arguing the law does not apply to nonprofit entities. However, the judge ruled against the zoo, stating it does not qualify for an exemption.

  • In July 2025, Liberty Township passed an ordinance imposing a fee on the Columbus Zoo.
  • The township later reduced the fee from $1 to $0.75 per ticket.
  • On January 28, 2026, the Delaware Court of Common Pleas ruled against the zoo's challenge to the fee.

The players

Liberty Township

The township that provides fire and EMS services to the Columbus Zoo and imposed a fee to cover the costs of those services.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

A major nonprofit zoo and aquarium that challenged the township's fee, arguing it should be exempt as a nonprofit entity.

Delaware Court of Common Pleas

The court that ruled against the Columbus Zoo's challenge and determined the township can impose the fee.

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What they’re saying

“We've tried to sit down with the zoo to get accurate attendance data so we can ensure the fee is precise and avoid overcharging, but they've consistently refused to provide actual attendance data or even talk with us. Now that the court has definitively ruled against them, we hope the zoo will finally be willing to sit down with us.”

— Cathy Buehrer, Liberty Township Administrator (nbc4i.com)

What’s next

The judge's ruling means the Columbus Zoo must begin collecting the $0.75 per ticket 'Protect and Serve Fee' starting on October 1, 2026. The township and zoo are expected to meet to discuss the fee and attendance data in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between municipalities and large nonprofit organizations over the costs of providing public services. As more cities and towns seek to recoup the expenses of supporting major attractions, nonprofit entities may face increasing pressure to contribute financially, even if they argue they should be exempt.