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Council approves conditional Fourth of July fireworks plan if $30,000 raised in one month
Summary
After extensive public comment and staff analysis of costs and alternatives, the council directed staff to contract for a fireworks display only if at least $30,000 is raised within a one-month fundraising window; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.
Parks and Recreation staff presented cost estimates and alternatives for Fourth of July after-dark programming. Director Johnson said a professional fireworks display would cost about $40,000 for the fireworks itself plus another $15,000 to $20,000 for family-friendly activities and event infrastructure; a laser light show vendor provided a $20,000-'$25,000 estimate in initial outreach and a drone show vendor estimated around $110,000.
Public commenters urged both fiscal caution and the value of a community celebration. Several residents said leftover budgeted funds from the canceled 2024 fireworks (staff cited roughly $31,000 in a dedicated fireworks line and about $46,000 in the overall July 4 fund) should not obligate the council to spend on fireworks when the city faces budget pressures.
Councilmember Barrick moved to authorize staff to pursue fireworks funding with a fundraising target; after discussion City Manager Camillo proposed a practical amendment: direct staff to execute a fireworks contract only if a defined fundraising threshold is met by a firm deadline. Councilmember Barrick amended his motion to require $30,000 raised within one month, and Council then approved that motion on roll call (Barrick yes; Spatarotto yes; Vice Mayor Deasy yes; Mayor Doreen no). Staff said the contractor schedule and vendor availability make the timing tight and that staff would need a clear threshold and deadline to proceed.
Why it matters: The decision balances community interest in a traditional fireworks display with fiscal constraints and the council's stated interest in private fundraising to offset costs. The council did not commit General Fund dollars beyond the contingency of meeting the fundraising threshold and instructed staff to continue planning family-friendly daytime activities if the fireworks threshold is not met.
