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Medical Lake workshop lays out steps for November advisory vote on consumer fireworks
Summary
Staff presented a plan and timeline to run a nonbinding advisory ballot question about banning consumer fireworks on the November 2025 ballot.
City staff outlined a plan to place a nonbinding advisory question about consumer fireworks on the Nov. 2025 ballot and recommended the mayor appoint two committees — one for and one against the proposed restriction — to prepare statements for the county voters' pamphlet.
Tim Weathers, staff lead on the item, reviewed Spokane County elections deadlines and requirements under state law, including RCW 29A.36.071 for ballot title preparation. He said the official resolution and explanatory statement must be prepared by the city attorney and that the county requires committee appointment forms and statements by the August 5 filing deadline for the November ballot.
What staff proposed: notify the public and solicit letters of interest for committee service, have the mayor appoint up to three members to each committee, present nominees to council for affirmation by July 1, and present the required resolution and ballot title for council review by July 15. Weathers said committees will prepare the for/against statements and rebuttals for the voters' pamphlet; the city is neutral once committees are appointed.
Costs and timing: Weathers said placing the advisory measure on the regular November ballot keeps election costs low (historical local cost roughly $2,500); a special election would cost substantially more (around $25,000). He described the committees' statements as limited by county rules (word counts and deadlines) and said the committees must be residents of the jurisdiction.
Discussion and next steps: Council members asked about committee eligibility, whether sale as well as use could be addressed, and the practical timeline to adopt any binding ordinance later. Staff said the advisory vote is separate from displays and special-event permits; if council wants to pursue any ordinance change it could use the advisory result to inform a later code change and would need to craft separate regulatory language for sale or use of fireworks.
Ending: Staff will publish a call for letters of interest and return with proposed committee appointments and a draft resolution and ballot title for council consideration ahead of the county's August 5 deadline.
