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Council sets 10% regulatory fee for safe‑and‑sane fireworks; moratorium not adopted
Summary
After a long public hearing with dozens of speakers for and against, the council voted 5–2 to adopt a 10 percent regulatory fee on safe‑and‑sane fireworks sales and did not adopt a one‑year moratorium on sales and use.
The City Council voted 5–2 on June 4 to approve a 10 percent regulatory fee on safe‑and‑sane fireworks for the 2025 sale period and declined to adopt an urgency ordinance creating a one‑year moratorium on safe‑and‑sane fireworks sales and use.
Finance staff told the council the municipal code requires a regulatory fee to cover inspection and enforcement of the temporary fireworks permits. Staff estimated annual enforcement and regulatory costs at roughly $269,844 and reported expected regulatory fee receipts and vendor‑paid amounts of about $94,000; council debated whether fee increases or a moratorium would lower illegal fireworks use and related costs.
Dozens of residents and nonprofit representatives spoke during the public hearing. School groups, youth sports leagues and churches described using proceeds from nonprofit fireworks stands to fund student trips, no‑cost programs and community services. Other residents, veterans and animal‑welfare advocates urged stricter limits or a full ban, citing wildfire, noise and public‑safety concerns.
On the vote to adopt the regulatory fee, Councilmembers Sanchez, Canas, Charette, Kanas and Flores voted yes; Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Ortiz voted no. Council directed staff to apply the regulatory fee rate for the 2025 sale period; council did not approve a moratorium or ban.
