Saline County approves Salina Speedway fireworks display and adopts changes to county fireworks rules

The Saline County Commission voted to approve a fireworks display at the Salina Speedway and adopted a Fourth Amendment to the county's fireworks resolution that narrows allowable discharge dates and prohibits permanent fireworks retail in unincorporated areas.

Michelle Wise, the county's emergency management director, recommended approval of the application for the Salina Speedway display and reported the rural fire chief assigned to provide standby coverage had approved the plan. "We have met with all parties involved, including, the rural fire chief that will be providing a standby on this. They have approved the application as presented," Wise said. The commission approved the application (filed as RFA 20 25-132) by voice vote.

Separately, Hannah Bet, deputy county administrator, presented the Fourth Amendment to the county resolution governing sale and use of fireworks in unincorporated Saline County. Bet told the commission the amendment would: change the permitted discharge dates to July 3 and July 4 from 8 a.m. to midnight to mirror city policy; add language allowing public fireworks displays outside the July 3'July 4 window if the fireworks are purchased from a licensed Kansas distributor; and prohibit permanent fireworks retailers in unincorporated county areas. "If you remember back on May 13, your commission was briefed on some changes to state law, and it was the recommendation of the county counselor to have the commission review the rules of regulations and update them," Bet said.

Commissioners asked whether the amendment addressed fees for permanent retailers; Bet clarified the presented amendment would prohibit permanent retail stands and that permitting and fee discussions would be relevant only if the commission decided not to ban permanent retailers. After discussion and confirmation that emergency management and rural fire districts had reviewed and supported the changes, a commissioner moved to adopt Amendment No. 4 to Resolution 09-1999; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The county also noted that funds would be provided to a rural fire district for standby coverage at the Speedway display because pulling a unit reduces fire coverage capacity elsewhere in that district. No vote tally was recorded in the transcript; minutes reflect the commission approved both the Salina Speedway RFA and the resolution amendment during the Sept. 23 meeting.