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Council approves $7,000 to cover increased tariffs for Fourth of July fireworks
Summary
Council authorized a $7,000 purchase order to cover a contractor request tied to a 145% tariff increase on imported consumer fireworks, citing contract language that the city would cover tariffs.
The Sebastian City Council approved a $7,000 payment to Extreme FX LLC to cover increased tariffs and import fees on fireworks contracted for the city’s Freedom Festival.
Parks and events staff said the contractor notified the city that overseas supplier tariffs had risen sharply — staff cited a 145% tariff increase reported by the contractor — and that Extreme FX requested a 25% increase to the total contract price. The contract signed in 2022 included language that allows the city to cover tariffs if they occur; staff said the city had already paid a $14,000 down payment on this year’s show and would forfeit that deposit if the city did not approve the increase.
Event staff told the council they would not pay an asserted $700 late fee and had asked the contractor to remove that charge. Council members voted to approve the additional $7,000, which staff said would be processed as a purchase order to cover tariffs and associated import fees so the planned fireworks display can proceed.
The action was taken by roll call with all present voting yes. Staff said they will review future contracting options because this is the third year under the current three-year agreement and the city will solicit or negotiate future terms for fireworks services.
