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Crafton delays decision on doubling fireworks spending; staff to get vendor quote
Summary
Staff proposed increasing fireworks spending from $15,000 to $30,000 for a larger show; several council members opposed the increase and argued for spending on permanent community improvements instead. Staff will obtain updated pricing and return with numbers at the next meeting.
Crafton Borough staff proposed increasing the annual fireworks budget from $15,000 to $30,000 to accommodate higher demand and rising costs, but several council members pushed back, arguing permanent facility repairs should take priority.
Presenter Jim Price said tariffs and increased demand for the U.S. 250th anniversary could raise fireworks costs and that staff would get a firm vendor quote by the next meeting. "If we do increase it to 15,000, we have to bid this, don't we, Steve?" a councilor asked; staff noted thresholds where formal bidding rules apply and said they would verify procurement requirements.
Several council members said they opposed raising the fireworks allocation. One councilor said increasing the fireworks budget "makes no sense to me" when the borough has deferred capital needs such as library improvements and community-center repairs. Another said those permanent investments would provide longer-lasting benefits than a short fireworks display.
Decision and next steps
The workshop did not adopt an increase. Price said he would call providers and bring a firm cost estimate to the next workshop so the council can weigh the choice with other capital priorities. The item was deferred pending a vendor quote.
