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Dickinson County commissioners adopt FEMA mitigation plan, lift fireworks permits and accept 2024 audit
Summary
At a regular meeting the Dickinson County Commission adopted an updated all-hazards mitigation plan required for FEMA funding, approved a new fireworks policy that removes individual permits and sets July discharge windows, and accepted the county's fiscal 2024 audit.
At their regular meeting, Dickinson County commissioners adopted three formal measures: an all-hazards mitigation plan aligned with Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements, a resolution to change county fireworks rules by removing individual permits and setting limited discharge hours around July 4, and acceptance of the county's fiscal year 2024 audit.
The mitigation plan (Resolution 050125) updates the county's eligibility for federal mitigation and recovery funds and is reviewed every five years, officials said. The board voted to adopt the plan to remain eligible for FEMA grant programs should a disaster occur.
The fireworks resolution (050125a) removes the county's prior permit requirement for consumer fireworks and instead sets a purchase and discharge window around Independence Day. Under the new policy, fireworks may be discharged July 1'4; if July 4 falls on a Thursday or Friday, discharge is extended through Saturday, July 5. Discharge hours are set between 8 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. The resolution also governs retail sales timeframes.
Commissioners also voted to accept the fiscal year 2024 audit. The auditor reported no reportable discrepancies; commissioners described the audit as a clean review that affirmed the county's accounting practices.
Votes and procedures: Commissioners moved and seconded each motion and the clerk recorded "Aye" votes with the chair declaring each motion carried.
Why this matters: The mitigation plan keeps Dickinson County eligible for FEMA mitigation and recovery funding and preserves the county's ability to add mitigation priorities based on after-action needs. Changing the fireworks policy eliminates an administrative permit step and replaces it with a standardized time window many neighboring counties use; officials framed the change as shifting responsibility to individuals while keeping safety boundaries in place. Accepting the audit concludes the county's annual financial review and allows required signatures and public posting of the report.
What commissioners said: County Administrator Janelle Docket and commissioners praised staff for preparation and noted the mitigation plan and audit are routine but important items to maintain funding eligibility and public trust. Commissioners said they will distribute the fireworks policy to cities in the county to align local practices.
Next steps: The mitigation plan will remain on file to support grant applications; the fireworks policy will be published and shared with municipal clerks; commissioners signed the audit document for the public record.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 050125, All-Hazard Mitigation Plan — Motion to adopt: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. (See provenance.) - Resolution 050125a, Fireworks policy (remove permits; July 1'4 discharge window; 8 a.m.'11:30 p.m. hours) — Motion to adopt: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. (See provenance.) - Acceptance of fiscal year 2024 audit — Motion to accept: moved and seconded; outcome: approved. (See provenance.)
Ending: Commissioners will post the signed audit and circulate the updated fireworks policy and mitigation plan to affected jurisdictions and clerks.
