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Council approves $3,000 to Lions Club for July 4 fireworks after debate over timing and budget
Summary
After debate about timing, prior budgeting and available funds, Sunnyside council approved a $3,000 contribution from executive-services funds to support the Lions Club fireworks show; several councilors voiced concern about late request and limited budget slack.
The Sunnyside City Council approved a resolution authorizing $3,000 to the Sunnyside Lions Club to support the 2025 July 4 fireworks show, following a lengthy discussion about budget timing and available city funds.
Interim City Manager Bridges said the $5,000 figure traditionally requested historically had sometimes been included in the budget but was not carried into the current fiscal-year packet during recent staff turnover. He said city support began when the Lions Club produced a public pyrotechnic show to reduce unsafe private fireworks, and that the city has historically contributed to safety-focused public fireworks.
Kelly (finance staff) told council there were executive-services funds budgeted at $18,000 for the year and that "as of today, dollars 11,012.95 [are] available that is unspent," though she cautioned there could be additional demands on that line for the rest of the year.
Council members voiced differing views on the request’s timing and fiscal impact. Councilor Lennon and Councilor Ripley said they would have preferred earlier notice and some community fundraising; Councilor Hancock said the Lions Club historically asked late but the group should make earlier requests.
Councilor Hart, who moved the substitute motion to provide $3,000 rather than the historically requested $5,000, argued the event is a long-running community safety and celebration tradition. "It has been $5,000 every year, since 1995," she said, describing the event as a managed safety measure when private fireworks were banned.
Councilor Vasquez seconded the motion. The roll-call votes recorded in the transcript were: Councilor Hancock — no; Councilor Vasquez — yes; Councilor Ripley — no; Councilor Hart — yes; Councilor Frosto — yes; Deputy Mayor — yes. The motion passed.
Speakers noted the Lions Club had already ordered fireworks and that vendors and other community fundraising efforts were under way. Council encouraged community sponsorship and noted alternatives if the city withheld funding. The council also asked staff for reporting on executive-services expenditures that drew from the same line.
The allocation directs city staff to disburse $3,000 to the Lions Club for the July 4 fireworks show as approved by the council.
