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Leon Valley staff outline July 4 plans as council and residents debate fireworks cost
Summary
City staff presented a plan for the July 4 celebration, including vendors, shuttle routes and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show; council and several residents questioned the event’s cost and possible cuts amid broader budget pressures.
City community-relations staff presented details of the July 4, 2025, celebration at Raymond Rimkus Park and told the City Council on June 3 that the event as planned would include vendors, two fireworks shooting sites and a 9:30 p.m. aerial fireworks show.
Crystal Miranda, the city’s community relations director, told the council that vendors would set up at 4 p.m., the opening band would begin around 6 p.m., and Finding Friday programming and fireworks were scheduled at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively. Miranda also outlined parking and shuttle plans and said vendor space had reached capacity.
Mayor Chris Riley told the chamber that the July 4 celebration is under review: “The fourth of July is on the chopping block,” he said, noting the city has already allocated funds for the upcoming event but that future budgeting remained uncertain. Miranda said a 9:30 p.m. high aerial fireworks display and a low aerial shot from the baseball diamond were planned and that the fire chief and pyrotechnician had approved the fallout zone.
Several attendees urged the council to reconsider spending on the show. Resident Richard Blackmore asked about the event budget and said the money might be reallocated to pressing city needs such as pool repairs, library upgrades and a maintenance facility. "That hundred thousand dollars, we need to put it back into our city," Blackmore said during public comment.
Council members and staff discussed alternatives. Miranda said the event typically requires city resources for public safety and logistical support and noted sponsorships were in place, including a $5,000 sponsorship from VIA and $2,500 from H‑E‑B. Councilor Martinez urged the city to consider hiring an event planner to manage sponsorships and expenses so the city would not absorb the cost; Miranda said the city has sought outside coordinators in the past but the proposals were expensive.
Miranda told the council that weather and wind limits could cancel the fireworks and explained pickup and drop‑off locations for shuttles. She said organizers were not selling event tickets and that vendor fees ranged from $75 to $150 depending on electricity and food service needs.
No vote was taken; the presentation was an informational update. Mayor Riley and staff said the council will continue reviewing the event’s funding as part of the wider budget process.
