Pottawattamie County supervisors deny display-fireworks permit for Dogwood Road after neighbors raise safety concerns

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors voted to deny an application for a display-fireworks permit for a July event at 27538 Dogwood Road, after neighbors described debris, proximity to dwellings and propane tanks, and what they said were past safety-rule violations.

Neighbors Melanie Hildebrand Wheatley and Ellen Scott told the board the fireworks used in a prior display were “commercial grade” and landed on adjacent property. “He had complete disregard for our safety,” Wheatley said, recounting mortar shells and debris she said were found across three acres of her land after the 2024 display. Ellen Scott said the show was “huge” and woke her at midnight when the display resumed.

The board heard from Matt White, director of Planning and Development, who said the county may grant display-fireworks permits under state law but that local application of the statute requires the board to judge whether an operator is “competent.” White told the board there is no set insurance amount specified in the cited Iowa law and that the county’s practices around inspections and fire-department involvement needed review.

Supervisors said they were persuaded by neighbors’ written complaints and on-the-record testimony describing a prior launch location that differed from the application, an absence of a requested formal water-truck at the earlier event and the potential wildfire risk in a dry season. A motion to deny the application carried; the board called for a review of the county’s permit process and suggested involving local volunteer fire departments in future permit decisions.

Why it matters: Display-fireworks permits can create acute safety and fire risks for nearby residences and farm fields. Neighbors asked the board to prioritize clear procedures, inspection sign-offs and explicit requirements (insurance, launch setbacks and fire-department coordination) before future permits are issued.

Following the vote, supervisors discussed next steps including (1) reviewing the county’s permitting checklist, (2) clarifying whether the county will require a signed approval from the local volunteer fire department as a condition for future permits, and (3) whether the county should standardize certificate-of-insurance minimums and required launch setbacks.

Evidence excerpt: Board minutes show resident testimony and the motion to deny. The board’s motion to deny was seconded and carried on a voice vote; the record shows supervisors voting in favor and the motion passing.